Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
The Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) Sector 3 yesterday said it intercepted 550 cartridges neatly wrapped in 22 packs of 25 pieces each in Benue Stats axis under the JBPT sector, which includes Kogi, Kwara, Benue and Niger States.
JBPT is made up of officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Service (DSS), NIA and others.
The JBPT Team Coordinator, Comptroller Olugbenga Peters, revealed this in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, during a press conference on the activities of the team since August till date.
According to him, “This landmark seizure was made around Benue State axis of the sector command due to surveillance and determination of our operatives.”
Peters said: “The bus was coming from the eastern part of the country.
“Based on intelligence report, the sector intercepted a commercial bus around Adikpo junction in Benue State heading to Taraba State. “On searching the vehicle, two black sacks were found to contain pump action cartridges suspected to be smuggled into the country.
“The ammunition, driver and the suspect were arrested immediately and brought to Sector 3 headquarters in Ilorin after preliminary investigation as the law of jurisdiction demands. They were all handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Benue State Command for further investigation.
“This epic seizure is very commendable at the backdrop of the heightened insecurity in the country. Should 550 rounds of live ammunition escaped into the country and fall into wrong hands, the consequences will be devastating.”
“During the period under review, Sector 3 recorded 49 seizures with duty paid value of N29.3 million.”
The seizures, according to him, include 251 Jerry-cans of 25 litres of petrol; 751 bags of foreign par boiled rice; nine used vehicles; seven bales of second-hand clothes, and “one motorcycles used as a means to convey petrol and surveillance.”
The JBPT coordinator alleged that border community members have been hostile to customs personnel, adding that “they see us as enemies. They assist suspected smugglers in carrying their nefarious activities by providing information to them.”
He added that: “I want to warn those who want to use this yuletide to make money by smuggling prohibited items into the country to think twice as our officers have continued to dominate the general area with aggressive patrols to deny smugglers freedom of action. The public is thus encouraged to continue to provide credible information to the Sector operating within their localities.”
