The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 30,000 live cartridges at the border town of Saki in Oyo State. The cartridges were being transported to Ibadan from Benin Republic and were concealed under tubers of yam, cassava and yam flour.
Men of the Customs Service stopped the white Toyota Hiace bus conveying the items at Oje-Owode on the Saki/Ago-Are road. The bus driver, Abdulraheem Adegoke (45), was arrested.
Oyo/Osun Customs Area Commander Richard Oteri told reporters yesterday in Ibadan that the items were packed in 20 cartons.
He said a team, led by S.C. Okoli, arrested the bus: KW 286 SHH, on Monday.
On May 18, last year, the command seized 56,750 rounds of live cartridges on the same route.
Oteri said the seizure was commendable, considering the country’s security challenges, adding: “We are determined to make Oyo/Osun Command a no-hiding place for their nefarious activities and promise trade facilitation to legitimate businessmen and women.
“We will continue to partner security agencies to make the command and the country a safe place.”
Adegoke said he did not know that live cartridges were hidden in the vehicle, adding that he was hired to transport the goods to Ibadan.
Oteri handed the items and Adegoke over to the police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Musa Kimo hailed the Customs officers, describing them as “go-getters and highly patriotic.”
He assured them that the matter would be investigated and the culprits prosecuted.
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