Who Owns Container Load Of Guns Intercepted In Lagos?
This is the big question that officials of the Nigeria Customs Service attached to Tin Can Island Command are trying to find answer to.
The Customs had intercepted the 1x40ft container which owner allegedly declared as plasma televisions only for it to turn round to be carrying container load of guns.
A source told a correspondent of the Daily Trust that the consignment was sublet to a clearing agent by another, fueling suspicion that the agent must be aware of the content.
The Public Relations Officer of the Tin Can Customs, Mr Uche Ejesieme, confirmed the development, saying that the container of guns was discovered during a routine examination at terminal B2 (Vehicle) of the TICT.
“The officers intercepted a container loaded with weapons, but as we speak, what we have done as a command is that we have written to the terminal to evacuate the container immediately to enforcement unit for 100 per cent examination so that we can actually ascertain the quantity and other relevant information.
“So, as we speak, we expect the terminal to evacuate the container to the enforcement unit where we intend to strip it, and the quantity, names of people involved and other further information would be available,” he said.
According to him, the command would inform the Customs high command in Abuja after the container had been thoroughly examined at the enforcement unit of the command.
“This is why we have not issued an official statement regarding the seizure.
“As we speak, we do not have full details of who is behind the import, country of import and the model of guns.
“All these will be made known at the end of investigations,” he added.
The customs, however, vowed to trace the matter to its very roots and apprehend those behind the container load of guns.
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“Most times, the suspect you see is those freight forwarders and agents coming for examination, but we are more interested in getting to the importer and everyone involved in that criminal importation to nip it in the bud,” he assured.
