ABUJA: The Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday, February 2, summoned a shipping company and terminal operator – Maersk Line, and AP Moller – to over circumstances surrounding the importation of 661 riffles seized by the service. The company was invited to give details into the shipping and clearance of the riffles confiscated by Nigeria Custom Service. The federal operation unit, Zone A of the custom service had seized 661 riffles on Tuesday, January 31. Following the seizure, two serving officers of the Nigerian Customs – Abdullahi I, with service number 44483 ASC; Odiba Inah, with service number 133386 ACIC – were declared wanted.
The officers on Thursday voluntarily reported to the service for clarification of their involvement in the riffle shipment and clearance. Meanwhile, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has said the service need to invest on infrastructure at the ports and border areas of the country. The association said a huge investment in trade tools at these areas will reduce risk of proliferation of small arms. The deputy national president seaport of the NAGAFF, Obums Anene said: “Let it be on record that the major problem facing Customs operations is the inability of importers to comply with import and export regulations.” He said laws are made to be obeyed and respected by the stakeholders and in particular, the importers and exporters.
