Customs Intercepts Large Cache Of Arms In Lagos As Police Clarify Missing Weapons Report.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and handed over a significant cache of arms and ammunition smuggled into the country through Lagos Airport. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has refuted claims that 3,907 weapons are missing from its armoury, stating that the reports are inaccurate and misleading.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the claims stem from a 2019 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF), which stated that certain firearms were unaccounted for at the time rather than missing.
Customs’ Anti-Smuggling Success
Speaking on the arms seizure, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, revealed that some of the importers of the intercepted weapons had been convicted, while other cases remain in court. He disclosed that Customs had handed over 1,599 assorted arms and 2,298 live cartridges to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). Additionally, 11 suspects linked to the smuggling network were transferred for further investigation and potential prosecution.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders, emphasising that the agency has intensified its anti-smuggling operations using targeted intelligence-driven interventions
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, commended the joint efforts of Customs and other security agencies. Representing the NSA, NCCSALW Director General, Johnson Kokumo, stressed the government’s determination to combat the proliferation of illicit arms.
Police Refute Missing Weapons Allegation
In response to reports of missing firearms, Adejobi clarified that the weapons in question were unaccounted for at the time of the audit but had not disappeared. He explained that during civil unrest, police officers were attacked, some killed, and their weapons seized. Additionally, police stations and armouries were looted, temporarily disrupting firearm records. However, he assured that many of these arms had since been recovered and documented
The police further noted that auditors might not always find every firearm physically present during inspections, as weapons are frequently issued to officers for ongoing operations that can last for months.
IGP Calls for Closed-Door Senate Hearing
To address the concerns raised by the 2019 audit report, the inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, wrote to the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, requesting a private, in-camera session to prevent misinterpretation of sensitive security issues
In his letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the IGP expressed gratitude for the Senate’s commitment to investigating the matter thoroughly. However, he urged that discussions on such critical security issues be conducted discreetly to avoid spreading misinformation or creating unnecessary alarm among the public and the international community.
“The wrong impression must not be created in the minds of Nigerians or the international community. A closed-door hearing will allow for a more candid exchange of facts while protecting national security interests,” the letter stated.
Senate Committee Requests Further Clarification
At a recent Senate hearing, Deputy Whip Onyekachi Nwoebonyi, standing in for Committee Chairman Aliyu Wadada, directed the police to return next Monday with a clearer explanation. Despite concerns over the public nature of the hearing, the committee maintained its stance on ensuring accountability and transparency in security matters.
The latest developments underscore Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to curb the illegal arms trade and address security concerns, ensuring that national defence remains a top priority.
