Tin Can Customs Discovers Cache of Ammunitions on Two Ships

Abiodun Oba |

The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), have intercepted cache of Ammunition on two vessels discharging cargoes at the Ports and Cargo Terminal and the Five Star Logistics Terminal.

In a press statement released in Lagos yesterday by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Uche Ejesieme, the said the seizure was made in two separate Operations on July 9th and 10th, respectively.

According to him, the first incident uncovered at the terminal ‘C’ II (Ports & Cargo), involved 1x40ft container no. TGHU 60143419 which on Scheduled Examination was found to contain Live Ammunition and Jack Knife.

“Following this discovery, the Customs Area Comptroller Musa Baba Abdullahi directed the transfer of the suspicious container to the Enforcement Unit , where it was examined and found to contain 150 rounds of live ammunition and 28 pieces of various sizes of Jack knives.

“These items contravened schedule 4 Absolute Import Prohibition List item 17 of the Common External Tariff and Section 46 of the Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45 LFN 2004”, Ejesieme stated further, adding that the container, a Suspect and exhibit are currently being held at the Enforcement Station pending further investigations.

Prompted by the development, the Command during Routine Tally Operations, and while vehicles were being discharged from the Vessel, MV GLOVIS COURAGE VOYAGE NO. 036, at 0330hrs of 10th July, 2018, at Five Stars Logistics Terminals, a black bag was found in one unpacked FORD EDGE with Chassis No. 2FMDK48C98BA05947.

On examination, according to the image maker, the bag was found to contain 149 rounds of 38million calibre live ammunition, 92 rounds of 9mm calibre live ammunition, two rounds of 7.62mm calibre ammunition.

Others include 2rounds of 7.62mm calibre ammunition, 11 cartridges of live ammunition, 12 expended empty shells of various calibres and one empty magazine.

“The vehicle and the exhibits are currently detained at the Enforcement Unit pending further investigation”, Ejesieme concluded.