An oil firm, Great James Oil and Gas Limited, has been linked to the importation of 1,570 rifles into Nigeria from Turkey within one week. Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), made the disclosure yesterday in Lagos after inspecting the seizure of 470 Jojef action pump rifles imported from Turkey by the oil firm at the Tincan Island Port.
The rifles, falsely declared as Elbow Plumbing Plastics, were ferried to Tincan Island Port in 20-feet containers marked CMAUI817/8 by MV Arkas Africa owned by Hull Blyth.
The container was intercepted on Monday, September 18. On September 11, a 20- feet container laden with 1,100 rifles shipped to the country from Turkey by the oil firm was intercepted.
The bill of laden falsely indicated that the contents of the container were wash hand basins and water closets. The Customs CG noted that since the containers belonged to the same importer, investigation was ongoing to fish out those connected with it directly or remotely. Tincan Island has now turned to a transit port for arms shipment in Nigeria.
Worried by the spate of arms importation, Ali said that the management of Customs would hold a diplomatic meeting with the Ambassador of Turkey to Nigeria today in Abuja.
The latest discovery brought the total number of guns seized in the last eight months to 2,671. Ali said: “Following increased arms seizures in recent times, the Customs Area Controller of Tincan Port, Comptroller Yusuf Bashar, ordered a detailed profile of all imports, especially those coming from Turkey. “Customs decided to follow profiling approach of 100 per cent examination on containers, especially those from Turkey.
“Tincan Customs command intercepted another 20ft container No CMAUI817/8 containing 470 pump action rifles immediately the container landed from the port of origin to Nigerian ports.
“The terminal operator was consequently directed to quarantine the container for analysis. The container was later transferred to Enforcement Unit of the command where 100 per cent examination revealed it contained 470 pump action rifles.” Ali said that the Bill of Laden of the container indicated Elbow Plumbing Plastics.
He said Customs would continue to subject all containers to 100 per cent examination. He noted that over 80 per cent of goods coming into the country were falsely declared by the importers and the agents. Ali said: “Importer of this deadly cargo is Great James Oil and Gas Limited, while the vessel is MV Arkas Africa owned by Hull Blyth. This discovery brings to a total 2,671 rifles seized within the last eight months of this year.
“While the audacity of these criminals to think that they can succeed in smuggling these dangerous weapons into the country successfully remains worrisome, the consolation is that the new Nigeria Customs Service is now more responsive and capable of meeting the challenges posed by these criminals.
“This is what the present government requires of all citizens. We must rise up and remain vigilant to deal decisively with the enemies of the nation. “As our seaports become increasingly impenetrable, we suspect they may want to try other entry points. Let me assure Nigerians that the service is presently at critical alert following my directive to all Customs Area Controllers. We will do all within our power to further secure this country.”
He added that the policy of reward for good deeds and punishment for those who compromise would continue in the Service. The Comptroller General said that NCS would go beyond the ease of doing business to ensure that the security of the country was not compromised.
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