Nigeria’s fight against the influx of illegal arms and ammunition received a boost recently as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced its continued collaboration with member countries of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
Curtailing the Flow of Illicit Weapons
Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer for NCS, revealed this information during a press conference organized by the Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC) in Abuja. The SCIPC, established by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), brings together spokespersons from the military, police, intelligence agencies, and response agencies.
Resuscitating Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships
Maiwada highlighted the Comptroller-General’s commitment to reviving the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Turkey’s Customs Administration. This renewed partnership aims to tackle the smuggling of small arms and light weapons into Nigeria. Additionally, the NCS recently signed an MoU with China’s General Administration of Customs, acknowledging the frequent origin of intercepted drugs from India.
Customs Collaboration: A Multi-Pronged Approach
The NCS emphasized its dedication to “Customs to Customs Cooperation” with WCO member countries. This strategy promotes trade facilitation while simultaneously combating illicit trade. Maiwada elaborated on the collaborative efforts between customs administrations, alongside the anticipated diplomatic engagement at a higher level.
Recent Interceptions Highlight the Problem’s Severity
The urgency of tackling illegal arms imports is underscored by recent NCS seizures. At the Onne Port in Rivers State, nine containers were intercepted, carrying a dangerous mix of weapons, ammunition, and illicit drugs. Another significant seizure involved a 40-foot container containing 844 assorted rifles, 112,500 live ammunition rounds, and other contraband. The NCS estimates the duty-paid value of these intercepted weapons and ammunition to be over N4 billion.
Nigeria’s Customs Service is taking a proactive stance against the importation of illegal arms and ammunition. By strengthening international cooperation and implementing strategic partnerships, the NCS aims to safeguard Nigeria’s security and curb the proliferation of dangerous weapons.
