By Becky Usman

The Nigeria Customs Service announced on Monday that it had intercepted 31 rifles and ammunition being smuggled into Nigeria from the United States in the first two weeks of July. The contraband was seized at the Ports and Terminal Multipurpose Limited at Tincan Island Ports and in Ogun State.

The acting Controller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, revealed that a joint operation with other security agencies led to the discovery of a 40ft container containing 10 arms and various rounds of live ammunition concealed inside plastic drums at the PTML Command. The seized items included rifles and pistols of different makes, magazines, and live ammunition.

Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure, including a clearing agent and an individual expected to take delivery of the container.

In a separate operation, another 40ft container was intercepted at Tincan, where 18 arms, packets of cartridges, and rounds of live ammunition hidden inside plastic drums were uncovered. The seized items included pistols, rifles, cartridges, and ammunition.

Furthermore, during a routine patrol along the Owode/Ajilete area of Ogun State, officers of the Joint Border Patrol Team intercepted an unregistered Toyota Camry loaded with six sacks of charcoal. Upon inspection, three pump-action rifles with 174 live cartridges were found hidden within the charcoal. The driver of the vehicle managed to escape arrest.

The acting Controller-General emphasized that the proliferation of illicit arms among non-state actors has contributed to the increase in violent crimes such as kidnappings, robberies, and mass killings.

In summary, a total of 31 rifles were intercepted within the first two weeks of July 2023, according to the Nigeria Customs Service.