Nigeria Customs Impounds Live Cartridges As Smugglers Flee

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) has announced seizure of no fewer than 1,245 live cartridges worth N17,638,145 concealed in some bags of rice in Ogun state.

The service explained that the seizure was made at Tobolo community near Ijoun, in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Area Controller, Bamidele Makinde, disclosed this on Monday in Abeokuta during a press conference.

Makinde told newsmen that the ammunition was loaded with 203 bags of foreign rice and abandoned in a bush path at Tobolo junction, near an exit point to the neighbouring Benin Republic.

According to him, the cartridges, 70mm (2¾), were of Lion, Trust, Supreme and Redstar brands.

The customs boss noted that the ammunition was intercepted on Saturday following intelligence gathered by the command on the planned smuggling of the prohibited items into Nigeria from Benin Republic.

According to him, the Roving B Team of the command intercepted five vehicles conveying the prohibited items.

The Area Controller disclosed that the drivers who were suspected to have been hinted at the movement of the operatives, escaped through the bush path.

“During an examination of the seized vehicles and the item, about 1,245 rounds of 70mm ((2¾)) ammunition of Lion, Trust, Supreme and Redstar branded cartridges were found to have been ingeniously concealed in 20 bags of the intercepted foreign rice.

“While considering the potential danger of ammunition of such magnitude if successfully smuggled in, we redouble our efforts to ensure they do not find their way into the country.

“It is a threat to the safety of the border communities and national security. We are committed to ensuring maximum security of our border lines with all sense of patriotism.”

He said the items have been deposited for safekeeping, pending necessary action, adding that an “investigation is ongoing to unravel the cartel responsible for the attempted smuggling of the items for arrest and prosecution.”