By Kenneth Jukpor
The Zonal Coordinator of Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) ACG Aminu Dahiru has commended the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Tin Can Customs, Compt. Musa Baba Abdullahi over the recent seizures of ammunition at the command.
Tin Can Island Customs Command intercepted another set of ammunitions in two separate operations on the 9th and 10th of July, 2018 respectively at the command.
The Zonal boss who sent a letter to the Tin Can Customs CAC on Thursday, last week, expressed satisfaction with the level of discipline at the Command that provided the basis for such timely interceptions.
ACG Dahiru admonished CAC Musa to open a case file to document in details all findings after carrying out in-depth investigation to get all those involved in the illicit deal.
Speaking with MMS Plus on the issue, Tin Can Island Customs Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, said the Command was in no rush to disclose the names of the importer/ agents as such move may derail the efforts of the investigative committee.
“Investigations are ongoing but Customs isn’t in a hurry to disclose the culprits so that we can ensure we find out if such importer has been carrying such items. We also have to ascertain if they are more of such items waiting to be cleared” he stated.
According to the initial statement by the Command’s PRO on the incident, the first incident was recovered at the terminal C II (Ports & Cargo) where a 1 x 40ft container No. TGHU 60143419 which was scheduled for examination was found to contain live ammunition and Jack Knife.
Following the discovery, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Compt. Musa Baba Abdullahi directed the transfer of the container to the Enforcement Unit of the Command where it was examined and found to contain 150 rounds of live ammunition and 28 pieces of various sizes of Jack Knives.
“These items contravene Schedule 4 absolute Prohibition List Items 17 of the Common External Tariff and Section 46 of the Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004″.Ejieseme said.
Meanwhile, the container, a suspect and the exhibit are currently being held at the Enforcement station pending investigation.
“In the same vein, the Command during routine tally operations, while vehicles were being discharged from a vessel MV Glovis Courage Voyage No. 036, at 0330hrs of 10th July, 2018, at Five Star Logistics terminal, a black bag was found in one unpacked Ford Edge with Chassis No. 2FMDK48C98BA05947. On examination, the bag was found to contain the following; 149 rounds of 38MM Calibre Live Ammunition, 92 rounds of 9MM Calibre Live Ammunition, 2 rounds of 7.62MM Calibre Live Ammunition, 11 Cartridges of Live Ammunition, 12 expended empty shells of various Calibres and one empty Magazine.
“The vehicle and the exhibits are also currently detained at the Enforcement Unit of the Command pending further investigation”, the statement concludes.
