AGS NEWS – From late January to mid-July 2024, the Nigerian Federal Government confiscated illegal arms, ammunition, military gear, and hard drugs worth N26.4 billion, primarily imported from Turkey, South Africa, and Canada.

These contraband items were intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service at Tincan, Onne, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Apapa, and the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A. Schedule 4 of the Customs Common External Tariff prohibits the importation of military wares by individuals, requiring an end-user certificate for controlled items.

On January 25, 2024, the Tincan Island Command seized cocaine, arms, and ammunition valued at N4.3 billion from South Africa and Canada.

Customs officials also intercepted 32.5 kg of Colorado Indica and other substances from Canada, along with arms and ammunition from South Africa.

On July 1, 2024, the Port Harcourt Area II Command in Onne seized arms, ammunition, and contraband worth N18.23 billion, including 848 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition concealed in containers from Turkey.

Additional seizures included military gear and semi-automatic shotguns worth N1.568 billion at Murtala Muhammed Airport, 150 cartons of bulletproof jackets worth N1.687 billion along the Ijebuode-Sagamu Expressway, and seven containers of prohibited items, including 12,000 cutlasses, at Apapa.

Customs officials emphasized their use of advanced risk management and intelligence systems to intercept these illegal shipments, ensuring national security.

Three suspects connected to the arms importation are in custody.