Two senior Customs officials who were fingered and declared wanted in the controversial importation and clearance of 49 boxes containing 661 pump action rifles, have surrendered.
The wanted Nigeria Customs officers who surrendered on Wednesday
Two Nigerian Customs officers - Abdullahi I, with service number 44483 ASC, and Odiba Haruna Inah, with service number 133386 ACIC - who were declared wanted by the service in connection with the 661 pump-action rifles recovered in the Mile 2 Apapa area of Lagos State, have surrendered to the authorities at the Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, on Wednesday.
Recall that the
two men were declared wanted for allegedly clearing a container laden with 661 pump-action rifles. They had fled immediately the weapons were uncovered by customs officials attached to the FOU, Zone A, Ikeja.
It was gathered on Wednesday that the container, which came from China, was bound for the FESTAC Town extension area of Lagos State before they were intercepted.
Speaking exclusively to Punch newspaper, a source said the men showed up at the FOU office on Wednesday, adding that they had been detained and were undergoing interrogation.
He said, “They have surrendered for arrest. They came today shortly after they were declared wanted. While one came in the morning, the other surrendered around 4pm. They have been taken into custody and are currently undergoing interrogation.”
The source explained that the importer, clearing agent, and escort, were also making useful statements, saying appropriate actions would be taken at the end of investigations.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the FOU, Ikeja, Jerry Attah, confirmed the surrender of the customs officials and the invitation of the shipping company, adding that investigations were ongoing into the incident.