The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, on Monday,16 June, 2014 reportedly intercepted military uniforms, bullet proof jackets, boots and other dangerous items at the Lagos port.
According to a report on The Nation, the items were discovered by Area Comptroller, Mr Folorunsho Adegoke at the Port and Terminal Multipurpose Services Limited (PTML), Tin-can Island Port.
It was gathered that the importer of the cargo, Mr. Emmanuel Eko, was also arrested at the terminal on Monday during routine examinations and checks.
According to the Customs Controller, the suspect, who claimed to be a member of the British Army and presented a Nigeria passport, was once arrested at the command for disguising as a Nigerian army officer.
Among the military wares intercepted were camouflage uniforms, military jackets, military helmets,berets, boots, rain coats, armoured jackets, communication radio jackets, face masks, ear protectors and others.
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.
* Some of the seized items at Lagos port on Monday
Adegoke informed newsmen that the seized military uniforms and boots were mixed up with other items in a white bus shipped in from Britain.
"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 such goods arrive, 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, hence the need to do a thorough check on the consignment," he said.
The Customs chief said the military wares could be used to wreak havoc in any part of the country because of the wave of terrorism going on in the nortehrn part of the country.
It was gathered that the suspect has refused to cooperate with Customs officers and nobody has come forward to speak on his behalf.
However, all the seized items and the suspect were handed to State Security Service, SSS, operatives in the presence of newsmen.
It could be recalled that the Nigerian soldiers recently apprehended some members of the Boko Haram sect who disguised in army uniforms to carry out terror attack in Maiduguri, Borno State.
by ROTMANLUV 2023-07-08, 17:34
