‘How security operatives aid arms smuggling into Nigeria’

 Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, inspects some of the arms intercepted recently

Security operatives involved in the clearance of containers at the various seaports have been alleged to have a hand in clandestine supply of arms into the country, Daily Trust investigations have revealed.

In the last two years, various types of automatic weapons and ammunition have been intercepted by security operatives after they have been cleared from the port. This may have informed the decision of Comptroller-General of Customs Service, retired Col. Hameed Ali, to order that the investigation into the recent interception of about 661 pump action rifles be widened.

  

The Nigeria Customs Service had on Tuesday declared two of its personnel wanted for their alleged involvement. Three persons, among who are the importer, the clearing agent and a delivery man were also arrested. The CGC, at a press conference in Lagos said some customs officers involved in the clearing process were also quizzed and that they have provided useful information. 

Daily Trust investigations at the Apapa port revealed that security agencies allowed to be around during examination of containers are Custom officers, policemen, officials of the Department of State (DSS), as well as those from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

A source alleged that there is a conspiracy theory in the entire process, which sees those behind the importation of arms often using terminals in Apapa. He said officials of a single government agency cannot handle the entire clearing process. He added that the government, in its wisdom, decided that officials of various agencies should be on ground to checkmate one another.

Though Col. Ali said that the container was intercepted through intelligence, it was discovered that it was greed that blew the lid open. An agent at the Apapa terminal revealed that what happened in the case of the seized container of pump action rifles was that someone whose interest was not well-protected provided officers with useful information.

Lagos Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Chief Gabriel Giwa Amu, advised the Customs high command in Abuja to also investigate deeply. According to him, various foreign nationals on a daily basis export prohibited items out of the country. Items exported with the strong connivance of custom officials include semi-processed leathers, wood and precious stones. “What they do is to transport these prohibited items from different parts of the country, especially from the north to Lagos,” he said, adding that not too long ago, a container load of high calibre arms was imported into the country from  Romania.

Further findings revealed that the flow of arms has continued with the help of security agents, as they have direct input on the deliveries of arms and other prohibited items, even if mostly consultative. The agencies help with the processing of documents of weapons on behalf of those who would receive same. The involvement was supposedly motivated by the fact that importers are willing to pay huge sums to get them cleared on behalf of their clients.

In December 2016, operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Port Command intercepted a cache of arms, ammunition and military gadgets, being smuggled into the country from the United States. Prior to this time, Customs operatives attached to the Tin-Can Island port command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), also  intercepted arms and ammunitions concealed in a container. One person was however arrested in connection with the importation.

Disclosing this in Lagos, during hand over of the contraband cargoes,  Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) of the command, Mr. Yusuf Bashar said that the healthy collaboration amongst  security agencies working in the command led to the interception. Similarly, operatives impounded a cache of arms and ammunition abandoned in the strong room of the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company Limited (NAHCO). The seizure included six double-barrelled guns. Other items impounded included single-barrelled guns, a pump action gun, one Uzzi, two magazines, one Berretta pistol and one Becheverria pistol.