Ten suspects apprehended in connection with illegal importation of prohibited firearms and ammunition into the country have been arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Their arrest was carried out by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons NCCSALW, under the guidance of the Office of the National Security Adviser ONSA,
A statement issued by the Centre’s Director, Strategic Communications and Information, Group Captain Pius Okwuego says the arraignment was initially scheduled for Monday, September 9 2024, but was adjourned due to the absence of the lawyers of 2 of the defendants
Okwuego said the primary suspect, Ali Samson Ofoma, along with nine other accomplices, were arrested in Abuja
He added that the arrest of the suspects was made possible through the deployment of the NCCSALW’s intelligence architecture in collaboration with other security agencies.
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Okwuego stressed that following their arrest, the suspects were charged under several provisions of Nigerian law. These include charges of a conspiracy to import prohibited firearms, violating the Firearms Act, and engaging in terrorism-related offenses under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.
The case is a follow-up on the interception of a 40-foot container at the Onne Port, Rivers State, on June 20 2024, during an operation led by the Nigerian Customs Service.
The container, with registration number MAEU- 9165396, originating from Turkey, was discovered to be concealing 844 assorted firearms and 112,500 rounds of live cartridges with items such as plumbing materials and steel doors.
The case has been adjourned till September 26 2024 for hearing
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
