The Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) Command of Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its surveillance activities as part of measures to curtail all forms of illegal import into the country.
Under the arrangement, the command has expanded its intelligence gathering mechanism and put modalities on ground to apprehend any suspicious items at the point of entry.
Parading a suspect on Monday over alleged attempt to clear riffles, gas mask, prepared military food, among others as ‘personal effect’, Customs Area Controller (CAC) Mashar Yusuf called for surveillance at all times.
He explained that the suspect was apprehended based on intelligence and professionalism displayed by Customs Personnel.
Items uncovered include gas mask, two pump action riffles, 7,500 air gun pallets, bullet proof vests ; one military helmet, pistol pouch, a riffle pouch, two military boots, 26 packs of military already made food pack, 3500 pieces of Premier Hollow point air gun pallets and 4,000 premier hollow point air gun pallets.
According to Yusuf, the items seized and later handed over to the Directorate of State Security (DSS)on Monday include Omni American Tactical riffle with Serial number AR48634 and a Moasberg American Pump Action with serial number U648018; a pair of camouflage wears and a jacket. The items were imported from the United States of America (USA).
He explained that the items were neatly packed inside two vehicles, a 2004 Toyota Camry and a 2007 Nissan Amalda.
The CAC said:“How do you expect people to Secure Visas to foreign countries and on their way back, the best they could think of, is to bring in items that are absolutely prohibited items like guns and gas masks”, wondered the CAC, adding that he invited the media, so as to stress the need for enlightenment as to dangerous items that were not permitted to import into the country.
“These people have not used their green passports to bring in agricultural equipment or machinery for processing raw materials. Why should somebody come home with as much as 7,500 units of air gun pallets?
