The Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ) yesterday intercepted military uniforms, bullet proof jackets, boots and other dangerous items at the Lagos port.
The items were intercepted at the Port and Terminal Multipurpose
Services Limited (PTML), Tin-can Island Port, by its Area Comptroller,
Mr Folorunsho Adegoke.
Adegoke, while parading a suspect, Mr. Emmanuel Eko who was the
importer of the cargo, said the military wares were intercepted at the
terminal on Monday.
According to the Controller, the suspect, who claimed to be a member
of the British Army and presented a Nigeria passport, had few years
ago been arrested at the command for disguising as a Nigerian army
officer.
The military wares included camouflage uniforms, military jackets,
military helmets,berets, boots, rain coats, armoured jackets,
communication radio jackets, face masks, ear protectors among
others.
Although, the area comptroller did not give the number of uniforms
seized, sources closed to the Command alleged that about 500 Army
camouflage uniforms, 60 pairs of bullet proof jackets, 30 boots and
other classified items were brought to the port by the importer.
Adegoke, who displayed the intercepted items to reporters at the
terminal, said the military uniforms and boots which were mixed up with
other items in a white bus shipped in from Britain, were discovered
during routine examinations and checks.
He said: “It is the practice that when we have military wares, they are
normally imported by military officers and they will write a letter to our
headquarters to that effect, and when the goods come, they are always
on ground to receive them.
“When you look at the list, one tends to suspect foul play, moreso the
person bringing it is just an individual as far as the country is
concerned, hence the need to do a thorough check on the
consignment.”
Considering the security challenge in the country, the Customs chief
said the military wares could be used to wreak havoc in any part of the
country. He noted that terrorists now dress like solders.
According to him, the suspect refused to cooperate with his officers
and nobody has come forward to speak on his behalf.
“The enforcement officers asked him many questions but he was just
dribbling them. He is not cooperating with them.
“During our routine examination and checks, we discovered that a
Volkswagen LT bus owned by the suspect has all thess stuffs inside.
What we discovered are seizable numbers of Army camouflage uniforms
and we have also discovered during examination some pairs of Army
boots, bullet proof jackets and other items.
“Although the suspect has refused to make statement, but we always
tell them that they should not come to our ports because we have our
officers and men on ground to deal with the unusual situation. We have
issued series of warning that any illegal trader should not come here
because we have the entire wherewithal and intelligence readily
available to discover this type of things.
