Amidst Growing Violent Crimes, Nigerian Customs Intercept Truck-Load Of Guns

Officers of the Nigerian Customs Service have intercepted a truck loaded with locally produced rice with some sacks containing 73 locally manufactured guns and 891 cartridges.

The Nigerian Customs in a press statement signed by Joseph Attah, its Public Relations Officer on Sunday said the officers intercepted the truck while on information patrol along Yauri, Zamare water side in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria.

Kebbi shares borders Benin and Niger Republic while Dole Kaina part of the state falls into Nigeria and Dosso in Niger, a volatile region in  Republic. 

Because of its border with both Niger Republic and Benin through Kamba of Kebbi, Nigeria has seen illegal importation of rice and arms through the state.

There has been a spike in the activities of terrorists in the northwest, particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and some parts of the Kebbi. 

The statement by the border agency added that three criminals were arrested while preliminary investigation is ongoing. 

According to the Controller of the FOU, Zone B, the “feat is a signal to all those planning to bring any harmful item to the country” through the zone. 

The controller called on border communities to support custom operations with information for effective border security.

According to the United Nations, the conflicts in Mali and Libya have led to the proliferation of arms through Nigeria. 

The UN said the presence of so many illegal arms in Nigeria threatened its existence and even the surrounding neighbouring countries.

The Nigerian National Commission Against the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons bill, sponsored by  Yahaya Abdullahi, senator  representing Kebbi North, scaled second reading in the Nigeria’s senate last month. 

 Nigeria faces different forms of insecurity that include Islamists militants, banditry and farmer/herder clashes.