Adeniyi Suspends Operating Licenses of Bonded Terminals, Clearing Agents

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Following the seizure of a large cache of arms and ammunition at the Port Harcourt Area II Command Onne of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, the Service Comptroller General, Bashir  Adewale Adeniyi has announced the suspension of bonded terminals and clearing agents linked to the gun trafficking.

The Onne Command the Customs boss said impounded a container load of arms and ammunition with an estimated value of Four Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira, ₦4,171,710,000.00.

The Comptroller General who disclosed this Monday at Onne said the Service remains alive to it’s responsibility and will continue to be a step ahead of unscrupulous traders, criminal elements and their collaborators.

The CGC explained that the container which has been under the Service’s intelligence radar was unearthed at a private bonded terminal within the Onne port.

While further disclosing a three suspects arrested in connection with the gun running are cooling their heels at the NCS detention facility, he noted that on no account will the issue of national security be treated with levity.

He said “Today, we gather to inform you about the recent significant developments in our operations to secure our nation’s borders and ensure public safety.

“You may recall that at a press briefing of this nature held recently at the Tin Can Island Port Lagos, I had disclosed attempts by criminal elements seeking to exploit our trade facilitation friendly posture to compromise our processes and procedures.

“With our robust Risk Management System, we have always remained a step ahead of their moves. When these attempts revolve around revenue generation, our automated audit systems at different level enable us to trace, track and recover the revenue.

“However, when efforts are geared towards creating actions that will produce irreversible consequences on national security, our alert level is elevated to match the threats posed to us.

“And so it was the case with this 1X40 foot container MAEU165396, which originated from Turkey, and based on a number of risk factors, became a subject of interest.”

Explaining the amount of works and intelligence collaboration that went into the operation, the CGC said:

“We had followed its sail across the Continents, as we benefitted immensely from credible information produced through our collaboration with the intelligence communities, both at the local, national and international levels.

“Working within our local structures, we followed diligently as the Importer attempted to circumvent our procedure through the outlet of a Private Bonded Terminal.  Consequently, on Friday, 21 June 2024, the suspicious container was subjected to thorough physical examination.”

Giving the breakdown of the seized arms and ammunition, the customs boss said:

“The examination result revealed the following alarming contents: Eight Hundred and Forty-Four (844) units of rifles. One Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Five Hundred,112,500, pieces of live ammunition

The breakdown is as follows: 764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles

10 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles

50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles

20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Single Barrel Rifles

Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells, 70MM.”

He further explained that “The rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags.

“The duty-paid value of the container is Four Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦4,171,710,000.00).

“In connection with this, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice.”

He said a thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure all those involved face the full wrath of the law.

In another development, the CGC disclosed the arrest of additional 8x40ft containers of unauthorized medicaments also been taken out of the Onne port; with a DPV of Nine Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira, ₦9,600,000,000.00.

“Our officers, through synergy, collaboration, and intelligence sharing, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, intercepted yet another 8×40-foot container on transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port. The container numbers are TCKU6879285, CMAU5985012, CMAU7515384, CMAU4297020, SEKU5488437, BMOU4363156, MRKU4616024, and MRSU3068928.

“Upon examination, they were found to contain the following: Six containers laden with: 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml): 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg) with Duty-paid value of Nine Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira (₦9,600,000,000.00).

In addition he said two containers laden with 720 bales of used clothes with a DPA of ₦144,000,000.00 was also impounded.

“The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is Thirteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira, ₦13,915,710,000.00.”

Adeniyi said that in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the following decisions have been taken with respect to these containers:

1. The 40-footer container of evil, bearing 844 units of assorted Rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition is hereby seized, alongside the other contents previously highlighted.
2. The items would be handed over to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser for diligent investigation, and ultimately rigorous prosecution.
3. The suspects arrested would be handed over to the Centre for further processing, adding:

“We will work diligently with other Agencies of Government to apprehend all other cohorts and Death Merchants involved in this monkey business.

“The Eight Containers whose contents were wrongly declared to evade duty payment and Prohibition Order are hereby declared seized.

“The Licences and Permits issued for the operation of all the Warehouses and Terminals as well as those of their Customs Agents involved in these cases are hereby suspended pending the determination of their involvement.”

Equally the CGC said “Customs Officers who are found complicit in the perpetration of  these nefarious act would be heavily sanctioned in a manner that would be approved by the Board of the Nigeria Customs Service”, adding:

“Officers who kept faith with the Oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and refused to be bribed into releasing these containers will be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”

While commending the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede and his officers and men for the job well done, including sister agencies partnership, the customs helmsman said:

“This seizure serves as a strong warning to others who may be contemplating similar misadventures, my message to them is simple; we will run you out of business.  “The Nigeria Customs Service, under my leadership, will not tolerate any action that compromises the economy and security of our beloved nation.

“Let me warmly commend the professional commitment of the Customs Area Comptroller Onne Port, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede and through him his Officers and Men, for the meticulous approach deployed to this operation.

“I also acknowledge our various partners, local and international who provided us the much needed information to successfully prosecute this operation.”