In a significant operation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, the Nigeria Customs Service has seized a cache of illicit arms, drones, and military equipment valued at ₦1.5 billion.
The interception, announced by Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi, underscores the ongoing efforts to curb illegal arms trafficking into the country.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the operation was initiated following intelligence received from both local and international sources.
He revealed that on June 19, 2024, Customs personnel were strategically deployed to monitor exit points around the airport adding that during routine inspections, a suspicious item was identified within a consignment originating from Turkey, marked with airway bill number 235-58737755.
Adeniyi revealed that further scrutiny revealed that the shipment, initially suspected to contain regular goods, concealed 55 pieces of unassembled Jojef Magnum (Tomahawk) semi-automatic shotguns.
According to him, the Duty Paid Value of these illicit arms alone amounted to ₦270,888,109.29 saying in addition to the firearms, the intercepted consignment also included various military and paramilitary gear.
The inventory included 148 pieces of drones, 172 pieces of ballistic vests, 15 pieces of 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.
The Comptroller of Customs also revealed that a suspect linked to the illicit arms importation was apprehended. The suspect is set to be handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, overseen by the National Security Adviser’s office, for further investigation and prosecution.
