Customs seize N1.5b firearms from Turkey, suspects arrested

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, revealed this development yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed Area Command in Lagos.

Following intelligence cooperation with both local and international partners, the Command deployed personnel to monitor all airport exit points, which led to the discovery of the contraband.

During the inspection, a suspicious item resembling part of a rifle was found in a shipment from Turkey with airway bill number 235-58737755.

Upon further examination, it was revealed that 55 pieces of unassembled Jojef Magnum (Tomahawk) semi-automatic shotguns were concealed within the consignment using shower faucets. The Duty Paid Value of these illicit arms amounts to ₦270,888,109.29.

Customs officials also uncovered military and paramilitary gear that had been unlawfully imported, totaling ₦1.29 billion, contributing to the overall ₦1.5 billion valuation of the seized items.

Adeniyi pointed out that recent seizures indicate the involvement of unscrupulous Nigerian individuals residing in Turkey who are involved in the procurement, packaging, and exportation of illicit arms to Nigeria.

An individual connected to the illegal arms importation was apprehended and is set to be transferred to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, overseen by the National Security Adviser’s office, for a thorough investigation and subsequent legal action.

The seized items included 148 drones, 172 ballistic vests, 15 ballistic plates, one ballistic helmet, eight walkie-talkies, 9,172 military and paramilitary badges, 20 camouflage uniforms, 100 camouflage vests, 172 camouflage caps, and 120 binoculars.

It is also important to note that recently, Customs officers in Port Harcourt confiscated 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of ammunition.