THE Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service
(NCS), Col Hamid Alli (Rtd) on Thursday raised the alarm that with the quantum
of arm being shipped illegally into Nigeria from Turkey, it is evident that
Nigeria is under threat.
Addressing newsmen during the latest display of another
seized 470 pump action rifles imported illegally into Nigeria from Turkey, Col
Alli explained that he has been directed by the Presidency to discuss with the
Turkish ambassador to Nigeria on the issue tomorrow.
According to the Customs CG, “It is an understatement to
say that Nigeria is being threatened. It is most worrisome that this dastardly
act is being done by Nigerians in collaboration with syndicates in Turkey.
“We are yet to get to the root of this issue, whether
they are meant for commercial purposes or for some religious fundamentalist,
agitators or kidnappers. That aspect of the investigation is ongoing, and I am
sure the DSS will unravel it in no time.
“Like I told you about a fortnight ago when we came to
display the seized 1,100 pump action guns that we at the Nigerian Customs
Service are going to escalate this issue beyond the borders of Nigeria.
“Having identified the country of origin of this weapons,
we should not relent but insist on getting to the point where we start asking
questions of why are all this pump action guns coming from a particular
country?
“Fortunately enough, we have made an inroad, and by
tomorrow, I will be meeting with the Turkish ambassador specifically on this
issue. Mr President has raised this issue at an international forum, and the
Turkish ambassador to Nigeria has been mandated to sit with us to discuss this
issue of illegal arms importation to Nigeria. Like I promised you, steps are
being taken beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“This latest seizure, a 20ft container with number
CMAU189817/81 containing 470 pump action guns from Turkey was falsely declared
to contain elbow plumbing plastics on its Bill of Lading. The seizure came
about when the Tin-Can Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Yusuf Bashir
ordered a detailed profiling of all imports, especially those coming from the
same source of previous arms seizures.
“The Terminal operator was consequently directed to
quarantine the flagged container for stricter analysis. It was later
transferred to the Customs enforcement unit where 100% examination revealed 470
pump action guns.
“The importer of this deadly cargo is Great James Oil
& Gas Ltd while the vessel that brought it in is MV Arias Africa owned by
Hull Blyth.
“This latest discovery brings to a total of 2671 pump
action rifles from Turkey to Nigeria within the last 8 months of this year.
“Let me assure Nigerians that the Customs is presently at
critical alert following my directive to all Customs Area Controllers yesterday.”
Source: www.tribuneonlineng.com
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