…Intercepts over 10,000 arms, 114,929 rounds of ammunition worth N9.58bn
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has disclosed that the country recorded the highest rate of smuggling of ammunition within the past five years in 2023.
This is as the CG also revealed that since 2018, the Service has intercepted 20 major shipments containing a staggering 10,498 arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N9.58 billion.
Speaking at a press briefing held on Wednesday in Ikeja, Lagos, Adeniyi stated that the scale and sophistication of these smuggling activities have grown more alarming, with 60 percent of these seizures occurring in the past year alone.
“These recent interceptions account for 34.67 percent of the total DPV, 20.58 percent of the arms seized, and an overwhelming 99.62 percent of the ammunition confiscated over the last six years,” he noted.
The NCS Chief highlighted that the surge in arms and ammunition smuggling is driven by clusters of criminal networks seeking to exploit Nigeria’s current economic situation.
He emphasised that the Service has moved from reactive efforts to a more proactive and integrated approach, with a focus on protecting Nigeria’s borders and ensuring the safety of its citizens. Operations such as “Operation Whirlwind” and “Operation Swift Sting” have been critical in tackling these threats.
“The connection between arms smuggling and other illicit activities, such as narcotics trafficking and restricted pharmaceuticals, is clear. These networks pose a serious threat to national security and public health,” Adeniyi remarked.
He further warned that the NCS, in collaboration with other security agencies, is more determined than ever to dismantle these criminal networks.
In addition to arms and ammunition, the NCS also reported significant seizures of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals. On October 15, 2024, Customs officers uncovered 1,584 cartons of Barcadin Cough Syrup containing codeine, concealed in a container declared as kitchenware. Similarly, on October 11, two containers were seized at Apapa Port with over 300 bottles of CSP Cough Syrup, 200 of which were expired.
Adeniyi stressed that these seizures are part of a broader effort to protect Nigeria from the harm caused by illegal trade.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to strengthening our enforcement capabilities and working with both domestic and international partners to address these threats,” he stated.
The NCS also highlighted its recent success in combating rice smuggling, with over 7,155 bags of foreign parboiled rice seized along key border areas. Adeniyi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests and ensuring that legitimate trade is facilitated.
Concluding the briefing, Adeniyi issued a stern warning to those involved in smuggling activities, stating, “Your days of operating with impunity are numbered. We are continuously upgrading our intelligence and enforcement strategies to bring the full weight of the law upon you.”