Customs impounds army uniforms, bulletproof vests in Kano Airport

Posted by admin Latest Politics Thursday, April 7th, 2011

Tongues are wagging in Kano as officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Tuesday night, impounded a consignment of military uniforms and bullet-proof vests at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano,

The arrest, which is coming a few days to the National Assembly elections has since raised critical questions as to the motive of the importers, one of whom is said to be a serving Captain of the Nigerian Army. The consignment which includes eight cartoons, containing 24 pieces of army combatant uniforms, were arrested at about 1100p m on Tuesday night, just as they were about to be sneaked into the were imported from Dubai, was flown into the country abroad the Middle East Airlines, said the source.

Already, the military authorities in the state haveimmediately commenced a full scale investigation into the incident, given that its officer was alleged to have been linked to the importation of the items, while the prime suspects in the illegal transaction have since been detained by security agents in the state.

Speaking to the press on the incident, the Kano/Jigawa Area Comptroller of Customs, Alhaji Usman Sanusi Azare said the consignments were neatly concealed in eight bails adding that two Nigerians have been arrested in connection with the alleged crime. The customs boss described the act as a breach of national security, regretting that at this critical moment when the nation is preparing for its general elections, an attempt to smuggle the military wares into the country should be a source of concern to all Nigerians.

He pledged that the Nigeria Customs Service in concert with other agencies, will continue to keep vigil on any item that comes through this airport.

-Sunwp_posts