Nigerian Customs gives reasons for why they haven't prosecuted importers of 661 rifles

The Nigeria Customs has explained why it had not prosecuted those arrested for their involvement in the importation of 49 boxes of 661 pump-action rifles, stating that the service had yet to conclude investigations into the matter.

“They are facing investigations already. It is only when investigations are completed that appropriate actions can be taken. 

“All those concerned with the importation of the rifles are currently under investigations. And when the investigations are completed, the findings of the investigations will determine further action.”

The Assistant Comptroller and acting spokesman for the NCS, Joseph Attah, told Punch during a phone interview that action would be taken as appropriate.

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the NCS had, on January 30, intercepted the 40-foot container containing the rifles along the Mile 2 — Apapa Road in Lagos.

The FOU officials were said to have discovered that although the manifest said the container had “steel doors and other merchandise goods,” boxes of the weapons were concealed in the container.