By Anthony Nwachukwu
A 40ft container loaded with cartons of arms and ammunition but declared as plasma television has been intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TCIT).
Confirming the development Saturday following the interception yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of the Tin Can Area Command, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, said the command was yet to conclude 100 per cent examination and profiling of the illegal import, after which it would brief the agency’s relevant hierarchies.
He disclosed that the officers were on routine examination at the TICT Terminal B2 (Vehicle) when they “intercepted a container loaded with weapons.
“As a command, we have written to the terminal to evacuate the container immediately to the enforcement unit for 100 per cent examination so that we can actually ascertain the quantity and other relevant information.
“So, we expect the terminal to evacuate the container to the enforcement unit where we intend to strip it, and the quantity, names of people involved, and further information would be available.”
According to him, issues concerning the illegal import remain sketchy, and no arrest has yet been made because, “most times, the suspect you see is those freight forwarders and agents coming for examination.
“But we are more interested in getting to the importer and everyone involved in that criminal importation to nip it in the bud.”
