CUSTOM IMPOUNDS ARMY UNIFORM, BOOTS AT PORT

  Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), PTML Command, Lagos, yesterday seized a bus loaded with various Army materials including camouflage uniforms, boots, cartridges, bags, helmets, raincoats, armour jackets, radios, hair protectors, among others.The importer, one Emmanuel Eko, was apprehended in connection with the illegal import. The contrabands were discovered at a time Nigeria is grappling with terrorists activities who often wear army uniforms to attack helpless members of the public.

Briefing journalists on the seizure, the Customs Area Controller, PTML Command, Folorunsho Adegoke, said the Customs Comptroller General had mandated all commands to up the tempo in their anti-smuggling drive to ensure no harmful goods come into the country.
He added that the seizure was part of the efforts of the command to help tackle terrorism as there was possibility that the military hardware could end up in the hands of terrorists.
“Yes, I took over this command about three weeks ago and we all know Nigeria has challenges. So anti-smuggling tempo needed to be increased. CGC charged us to up our game in our core functions. Examination of goods needed to be more thorough and that is what helped us achieve this feat. Criminals are smart people and always use various means to smuggle. No single individual imports military materials. It’s done by the military body and letter to that effect goes to our headquarters,” he stated.
He said the suspect, Eko, claimed to be a Nigerian serving with the British Army. He also stated that Eko kept mum during interrogation sessions, saying “he was not useful to us throughout the 48 hours he was with us.”
He said the command was advised to hand him over to the State Security Service (SSS) for further investigations.
“An individual importing those military materials can be dangerous. It is also suspicious because they can be used to commit havoc. No one has come for him here. We don’t have powers to detain him for more than 48 hours. He has been dribbling our enforcement officers. Examination of the container that detected the contraband was done two days ago.  Terrorists dress like soldiers and we must strive to stop them,” Folorunsho added.
In his reaction, the suspect, Eko, alleged that the Customs opened the vehicle behind him, even as he claimed the owners of the goods came for them.
“I was surprised when my clearing agent called and said there was issue with the uniforms Customs saw in my vehicle. The issue was almost resolved. The car was leaving the gate when it was stopped. The uniforms were not hidden. Soldiers have arrived to claim them,” he said.