MAN HELD OVER IMPORTATION OF MILITARY UNIFORMS, BOOTS Operatives of the Customs Service, attached to the Ports and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML), Tin-Can, Apapa, Wednesday arrested a 38-year-old man over the illegal importation of Army uniforms, boots and belts. At the time of arrest, the suspect identified as Emmanuel Eko was in possession of a Nigerian passport and British identification card. Parading the suspect before newsmen, Customs Area Comptroller in charge of PTML, Adegoke Folorunsho, said the items were discovered during an inward screening of a bus imported from Hamburg, Germany. “We all know the state of insecurity in the country. If these items had found their way into the hands of terrorists, only God knows how many lives would have been lost,” he said. Folorunsho said efforts made to get information from the suspect failed, as he refused to disclose what the items were meant for. The Customs Area Comptroller added that the suspect was also unable to produce documents given to him by either the Ministry of Defence or Nigerian Army for importation of the items. “We are all aware of reports alleging that members of terrorist groups wreck havoc in the North-eastern part of the country, while wearing military uniforms. Unsuspecting members of the public might not be able to differentiate terrorists from genuine soldiers if they are wearing these uniforms,” he said. He added that the suspect and the items will be handed over to the Department of State Security (DSS) for further investigation. In his confessional statement, the suspect said the items were detected by Customs officials on Tuesday. “I arrived at the port on Wednesday with a view to resolving the matter. Infact, we had already resolved the matter and the vehicle was on its way out when it was stopped at the gate,” he alleged.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Jun 2014 06:51:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015