Seized firearms: Reps summon CG Customs, DSS boss

The House of Representatives on Wednesday summoned the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali and the Director-General, State Security Services, Lawal Daura to brief the House on the comprehensive plan to rid Nigeria of the menace of small arms and light weapons. The House also urged the Nigerian Customs Service, the Directorate of State Security and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federal to speed up investigations on the firearms seizures and commence prosecution of the culprits.

The House also urged the Nigerian Customs Service, the Directorate of State Security and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federal to speed up investigations on the firearms seizures and commence prosecution of the culprits.

The House also called on the Nigeria Customs Service and other Regulatory Agencies to intensify ports checks to control the influx of small arms and light weapons into the country.

The House resolution followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Obinna Chidoka entitled, “Frightening Influx of Small Arms and Light Weapons.”

The lawmaker also expressed worry over the development said that “The House is concerned Customs Service had on four different occasions, this year, intercepted firearms smuggled into the country, totalling 2,671 pieces, with the first firearms seizure in January, the second in May and the third and fourth in September 2017.

“Gravely concerned that the January 2017 firearm shipment was intercepted by the Nigerian Customs after it was purportedly checked and certified free to go with its deadly cargo and had indeed left the premises of the Port when it was tracked down after a tip-off.

“Worried that the recent firm arms seizure, which is the second in the month of September and fourth in 2017, would appear to suggest that the syndicate behind the influx of firearms into the country had stepped up their nefarious trade, with far-reaching consequences for the country, as firearms and light weapons are the lifeblood of organised crime and criminality.

“Worried that the Customs Service might not be adequately equipped and motivated to handle the influx of small arms and light weapons into the country, due to the absence of functional scanners at the port to enable the agency to effectively scrutinise containers in line with global best practices.

“The recent influx of firearms into the country has confirmed the recent report of the United Nations Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, which identified Nigeria as a destination of choice for smugglers of small arms and light weapons”, the lawmaker stated.

When the motion was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara who presided over the session it was supported by majority of the lawmakers.