The Police Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, on Wednesday, reveals it has intercepted a consignment of 300 rounds of live ammunition and other contraband following credible intelligence.
ASP Aminat Mayegun, the FCID’s Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed this during a press briefing in Lagos.
She stated that the materials were intercepted when Margaret Ochalla, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Annex, received valid intelligence.
According to Mayegun, the driver of the shipment was seized and brought in for interrogation.
“A detailed search of the container conducted in the presence of the clearing agent and alleged receivers led to the recovery of 300 rounds of 9mm ammunition, concealed inside a Nissan Frontier pickup truck.
“Other recovered items include two Toyota Sienna vans, one Nissan Frontier pickup, one Scion XA vehicle, 24 bags of foreign rice, seven bales of used clothing (popularly called Okirika), cartons of vegetable oil, and various household goods,” she said.
According to her, five suspects have been arrested in connection with the shipment.
She stated that preliminary investigations linked the consignment to a U.S.-based shipper, who allegedly failed to declare the ammunition and contraband in the bill of lading.
“The illegal items were deliberately concealed among legitimate goods, with none of the contraband listed in the shipping documents, an apparent attempt to bypass port security checks.
“The FCID is now probing the origin and intended destination of the ammunition, as well as possible links to wider criminal or arms-trafficking networks.
“The department is working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Department of State Services to ensure a coordinated intelligence sharing and prosecution in line with the Firearms Act and other relevant laws,” she said.
The PPRO stated that AIG Ochalla underlined the department’s commitment to fighting insecurity.
He urged the public to continue submitting credible information to security authorities, noting that the FCID is still committed to destroying criminal networks and bringing offenders to justice.
