Customs intercepts another container load of military uniforms in Rivers State

THE Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted another container load of military uniforms, barely a month after it seized one containing military camouflage at Onne Port, Area II Command in Rivers State. According to the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, in charge of South-south, South- East Zone, Sanusi Umar, the seizure was made following ongoing investigations on the earlier container with number MRSU 3040298. It contained 4,400 military uniforms imported by a company known as Eghigocho Nige- ria Limited.

While displaying the illegal military uniforms before journalists at Onne Port yesterday, Umar explained that the command profiled the transactions of the company and realised that there was another container coming in its name.

The assistant comptroller said: “Sequel to this, we invited the owner of the company, one Mr. Ongwatabo Jerry, to come that his container has a problem. When he came, we told him our plan to investigate the container brought to the warehouse, and upon investigation, we noticed that the tail end of the container contained military uniforms.”

According to Umar, the container marked MRKU 4909151 was consequently arrested with the owner of the company, Jerry who has been whisked to Abuja for further investigations.

The Customs zonal boss further disclosed that four persons had been arrested in connection with the earlier container. He assured that the suspects would be prosecuted immediately investigations are concluded on the matter.

“During examination, it was found that the second container has the following contents: 620 set of completely sewn military camouflage uniforms and caps; 10,100 pieces of inner military T-shirts; and 512 pairs of military jungles boots. “Jerry is the sole importer that opened the form M for the importation of these two containers. This is how far we have gone. We will continue to profile the containers belonging to this company, if there is any further development, we will let the public know. We assure that nobody would be spared in this.”

Asked if the illegal importation had any connection with the 2019 general elections, Umar said the Custom would get to the root of the matter.