Customs intercepts 975 cartridges in Ogun

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, said it intercepted 975 ammunitions concealed in five bags of rice along the palace/Ayetoro road in Imeko Afon Local Government of the state.

The acting Area Controller, Mr Ahmadu Shuaibu, told newsmen on Wednesday  in Idiroko, Ogun.

According to him, the seizure made on Nov. 27 was based on intelligence report received by the command, which prompted them to deploy officials to confront those involved in bringing the ammunition into the country.

He said the NCS had been actively monitoring the activities of smugglers involved in trafficking live ammunition for about a week prior to the seizure.

According to him, the operatives went to the spot and evacuated the five bags of rice without any encounter.

The Customs boss said that the bags of rice caught their attention due to the unusual threading and sewing of the sacks, arousing suspicion.

“We recognise the potential danger of arms and ammunition trafficking which is life-threatening and we shall not renege in our efforts to combat smuggling activities in its entirety,” he added.

Shuaibu noted that the consequences of unchecked smuggling of arms and ammunition are severe, ranging from the empowerment of criminal organisations to escalating crisis and compromise of national security.

He said that for these reasons, we will not relent nor compromise waging war against smuggling of unlawful arms and ammunition in building a safe and stable nation.