CAC H.B Ahmed showing the press round the seized items.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The Kwara State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition.
The seizure was made around a border community of Bukuro axis of in Baruten local government area of Kwara State while a suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Hussaini Bello Ahmed,
disclosed this while briefing journalists while speaking on the command’s activities in Ilorin, the state capital on Wednesday.
Ahmed described the seizure as epic, adding that the large quantity of ammunition was packaged in 25 packs of 25 rounds each, and contained in 14 cartons.
“Based on intelligence report, the command intercepted a Peugeot 504 vehicle with registration number AP 448 AKD. On searching the vehicle, it was found to contain a large quantity of pump action cartridges suspected to be smuggled into the country. Section 149 of Customs and excise Management Act (CEMA) of April, 1958 Cap 45 LFN 2004 (as amended) gives Customs officers powers to search vehicles/ships.
“This sterling feat was largely recorded due to the leadership style of the Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his entire management team of the Service. The CaAC said “We will continue to justify the incentives and logistics support we received which includes construction of Sixteen (16) man rank and files Barracks accommodation at the only approved border station of the command, Chikanda, Renovation of Three (3) bedroom flat bungalow for senior officers plus Thirty (30) man rank and files both in Command Headquarters, Ilorin and most recently additional supply of (11) eleven Brand new patrol vehicles use for patrols and surveillance activities.”
“This epic seizure is very commendable in the backdrop of the heightened insecurity in the country. Should 3,620 rounds of live ammunition of this magnitude escape into the country and fall into wrong hands, the result will be appalling, devastating and disastrous,” he stated.
More pictures.
On the command’s achievements in 2021, Ahmed said that the command generated and remitted over N9billion (N9, 848,505,922.48) from January 2 to December, 2021.
“Under my leadership as the pioneer Customs Area Controller from July 2019 to December 2021 (that is about 29 months) the command has generated and remitted the sum of N19,159,240, 134.19 to federation account.
“Within the period under review (Jan to Dec 2021), the command has recorded 101 seizures as against the corresponding year 2020 with 84 seizures,” the Comptroller added.
“I call on the media and the general public to endeavor to always volunteer useful information on smuggling activities to the Command for the betterment of the Nation. I also use this medium to appeal to traditional rulers, religious leaders, ward heads and community leaders to educate the youths against the dangers of smuggling, particularly the smuggling of Arms and Ammunition. He concluded.
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