BY JAMES AKINOLA
The Nigeria Customs Service Ogun 1 Area Command has intercepted 975 rounds of live ammunition concealed inside five bags of locally produced rice at Imeko Afon in Ogun State.
Briefing newsmen in Idiroko, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu said the interception was made possible through the ingenuity of officers and men of the command.
He said the command will spare no effort in tracking down the perpetrators with the aim of bringing them to justice.
He said, “We are delighted to report that we have thwarted the evil plans of the enemies of the State from smuggling live ammunition into the country. Arms and ammunition smuggling is a high intelligence operation as it often attempts to evade the watchful eyes of law enforcement. It requires concerted and collaborative efforts of law-abiding citizens of this country to checkmate.
“On Monday, 27 November 2023, our operatives went on a professional and intelligence-based operation to unravel the antics deployed by unscrupulous elements to bring in live ammunition through Imeko axis of the State. We have been on the trail of the ammunition for about a week ago.
“Fortunately, at 0005hrs of the day, we got an intel that the 5 bags of foreign parboiled rice containing live cartridges of red star ammunition had been carefully hidden in a bush path along the Palace/Ayetoro road, Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State. Our operatives went to the spot and evacuated the 5 bags of rice without any encounter.
“The bags of rice were suspected because of the unusual threading and sewing of the sacks. This quickly aroused the suspicion of our operatives leading to their opening for proper examination at the Border station. During the examination, about 975 rounds of red star live cartridges were found to have been ingeniously concealed in the bags.
“We have intensified efforts at tracking down the perpetrators of this nefarious act for them to be brought to justice. We recognize the potential danger of arms and ammunition trafficking which is life threatening.
“We shall not renege in our efforts in combating smuggling activities in its entirety,” Shuaibu declared.
He explained that the operations took the command three weeks to intercept the expired bags of rice, saying the command is resolute to promoting national security and economic well-being of the country.
Shuaibu
The Ogun 1 Customs boss said unchecked smuggling of arms and ammunition poses serious danger to society as it empowers criminal organizations, escalates crisis and compromises national security.”
Speaking further he said, “Proactive intelligence is required in this regard. Smuggling of arms and ammunition are menace that knows no border and feeds on the vulnerability of our society. The consequences of unchecked smuggling of arms and ammunition are severe, ranging from the empowerment of criminal organizations to escalating crisis and compromise of national security. For these reasons, we will not relent nor compromise waging war against the smuggling of unlawful arms and ammunition in building a safe and stable nation.
“We appreciate our gallant officers and men for their bravery and commend the patriotism of our informant in partnering with us. We call on well-meaning Nigerians with useful intelligence to collaborate with us in enhancing the security of our dear nation”, adding:
” You are assured of maximum security cover. Let me use this medium to reiterate that we remain resolute in promoting national security and economic well-being of our beloved Country. We will not be deterred by any means possible in discharging our statutory responsibilities to our fatherland.”
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