Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Customs officer wanted over seized 661 rifles surrenders

By Sulaimon Salau
02 February 2017   |   4:36 am
The Customs Public Relations Officer, FOU, Jerry Attah, confirmed to The Guardian yesterday that Abdullahi has reported and is being interrogated on his role in clearing the illegal consignment from the port.

One of the two officers declared wanted by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in connection with the clearance of the 661pump action rifle seized by the operatives, yesterday voluntarily reported to the Federal Operating Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja and has been detained accordingly.

He is Abdullahi I. with service no 44483 ASC, while Odiba Haruna Inah (133386 ACIC) is still at large. The duo fled on Tuesday after the Comptroller General, Ahmeed Ali threatened that the erring officers would be severely dealt with.

The Customs Public Relations Officer, FOU, Jerry Attah, confirmed to The Guardian yesterday that Abdullahi has reported and is being interrogated on his role in clearing the illegal consignment from the port.

“Investigation is on-going. Two officers have been declared wanted, but one of them, Abdullahi, has voluntarily reported to FOU today (yesterday). “The accused in custody are helping our investigations. They are making useful statements and we will not hesitate to trace the deal thoroughly because we need to know the chain and all those involved in the transaction,” he said.

The importer- Oscan Okafor, 51 is yet to reveal his mission for importing such deadly weapons. Others arrested include Mahmud Hassa (Clearing Agent) and Sadique Mustapha who accompanied the consignment.

The FOU command of Customs had on Monday seized a consignment of 49 boxes contained a total of 661 pieces of pump action rifles concealed with steel doors and other goods.

National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, told The Guardian he is hopeful that the investigations will reveal the clear perspective of what transpired.

Shittu, who lauded the customs for the feat, said: “Customs and clearing agents must be very vigilant. We expect all our members to be compliant, report suspicious cargoes, do what is right and not to fall victim of the lure of money from unscrupulous importers.

“I don’t think that cargo was declared, we don’t even know weather there was documentation at all, that is why we are keenly waiting for the investigation,” he said.

0 Comments