By Steve Agbota
Ahead of next month’s general elections, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said it has intercepted hard drugs, military and police hardwares at the cargo section of the domestic wing of the Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
This is coming as the Muritala Muhammed Airport Command (MMAC) of NCS also said it generated N69.77billion between January and December, 2022 as against the N55.67 billion recorded in 2021, while it arrested two suspects in connection with some seized items.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller of the Muritala Muhammed Airport Command (MMAC), Compt. Sambo Dangaladima, said the drugs consist 162 cartons of Tramadol hydrochloride 225 and 250mg, military and police hardwares which were intercepted at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO). He said the hard drugs which originated from India and Pakistan and were routed through Addis-Ababa, had an estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N13.8 billion and include 92,387 packs, 929,970 sachets and 9,299,700 tablets.
On the hard drugs, the CAC said: “These milligrams (225 & 250mg) are above allowable thresholds as contained in the extant laws. The hard drugs originated from India and Pakistan and they are routed through Addis-Ababa to Lagos. In summary we have a total of 162 cartons/92,387 packs/929,970 sachets /9,299,700 tablets of Tramadol Hydrochloride with a DPV of N13.8billion which will be handed over to NDLEA by this Command”.
According to him, the command is also handing over a suspect by name, Samson Olayiwan Tantolohun of 29 Okejide Street, Ejigbo, Lagos. Speaking on the military and police hardwares, he said 309 pieces of military helmets; 106 pieces of military armless jackets; 352 pieces of ballistic body armored pads and 119 pieces of police badges were intercepted.
Other intercepted contraband are five pieces of bullet proof jackets; 33 pieces of body side ballistic pads and 105 pieces of ballistic chest plates, he added.
The Customs CAC said that a suspect, Olaolu Marquis, was arrested for inability to provide End Users Certificate, saying the service is empowered by section 46B of the Customs Excise and Management Act.
“We intercepted and detained some military hardware and uniforms from two AWBs,118-11860343/3 and118-18860332/5, with the following 309 pieces of military helmets; 106 pieces of military armless jackets; 352 pieces of ballistic body armored pads and 119 pieces of police badges.
“Others are five pieces of bullet proof jackets; 33 pieces of body side ballistic pads and 105 pieces of ballistic chest plates. The suspect connected to this importation could not provide the end user certificate which is the lawful prerequisites for such Importation. We have detained the suspects, Mr Olaolu Marquis, and the military wares while investigations are ongoing.”
“We are very much mindful of the fact that 2023 is an election year in Nigeria, the inflow of traffic of this hard drugs that induce our youths to do extraordinary things (when taken) are bound to increase. I can assure the unscrupulous importers that MMAC is the most dangerous routes for their illicit trade, because we are always here to catch them and ensure that they face the wrath of the law,” he said.
However, he said the revenue generated shows an overwhelming increase of N14.1billion representing 25.34 per cent, adding that the 2022 yearly target was N66.9 billion but the Command surpassed the target with N2.83billion representing 4.24 per cent increase.