The Nigerian Customs Service has uncovered a large cache of pump action rifles concealed in a forty feet container. The rifles which were more than 650 in number were packed in forty-nine boxes and concealed with steel doors and other goods.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, said the rifles can cause massive destruction if they get into wrong hands.
Explaining how the illegal consignment was intercepted, Ali lamented the audacity of the importers of the 661 pump action rifles.
Concerns were raised over the fact that customs officers cleared the consignment out of the port before it was intercepted by officers from the federal operations unit along mile 2.
Considering the number of containers that are imported into the country daily, questions were asked about the scanners that are not working at the ports, especially, when human error cannot be eliminated in the course of customs 100 percent examination.
The Customs boss said that three suspects arrested in connection with the prohibited importation will be investigated for more information.
