Posted by This Day (Lagos) on
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 32,500 cartridges of ammunitions along Ore-Benin Expressway.
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 32,500 cartridges of ammunitions along Ore-Benin Expressway.
The ammunitions, concealed in 13 drums in a 911 lorry, was covered by many other items, including hundreds of bales of materials for mattress covers, bicycle tyres, foam covers, pipes and drums of oils/chemicals.
Displaying the materials before newsmen, an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Ade Fadahunsi, said the contraband were shipped into Nigeria from Ghana and other neighbouring countries.
"We had a tip off of the transaction and we have been monitoring it for a long time. This is the first batch and we are still working hard to apprehend the rest," he said.
He said after necessary investigation, the items would be handed over to the police for further action.
The driver of the vehicle, John Mgbako (43) and one Jona Eleke, who were apprehended along with the contraband, denied knowing anything about the contents.
Mgbako, who said he was a transporter, insisted that he was not told the contents of the load.
He said he had already informed the owner of the goods, whom he just mentioned as Oliver, that he has problem with the customs and was expecting him to come over.
"I feel so sad about the whole issue. If I were aware of the contents, I would not have consented to carry it," he said.