The Nigeria Customs Service intercepted a shipment of weapons and ammunition from Turkey worth about ₦4 billion.
Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Customs, said on Monday that the 40-foot container with registration number MAEU165396 originated from Turkey and was tracked by the Service throughout its journey. He stated that the interception occurred on June 21, 2024.
The Service seized the container when the importer tried to go against protocol and on inspection, it was discovered that the container had 844 units of rifles, including 764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles, 10 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles, 50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles, 20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Single Barrel Rifles and Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM).
According to Bashir, the rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags.
The Comptroller General said that the container's duty-paid value was ₦4,171,710,000. Three suspects have been arrested and are in custody, as investigations continue to determine the circumstances surrounding the shipment.
