Customs arrest suspects with truckload of 200,000 live ammunition disguised as jerrycans
A joint patrol of the Niger, Kwara, and Kogi Command of the Nigeria Customs has intercepted an Onitsha bound truckload of 200,000 live ammunition being brought into the country from Benin Republic.
The driver, Bukari Dauda and the owner of the cartridges, Martin Anokwara were arrested along the Wawa – Babana border in Niger state in a Iveco Truck.
The suspects allegedly disguised the truck to be carrying over 100 empty jerry cans but on thorough checking, it was discovered that the truck had a false bottom which was used to hide the cartridges.
The suspects were arrested by the Command Controller, Comptroller Benjamin Binga at Babana border at about 3 a.m on Monday morning.
The driver of the truck, Bukari Dauda said he is from Cotonou in Benin Republic and he was employed by Martin Anokwara to drive the truck for him to Onitsha.
Dauda said that he did not know the truck contained live cartridges as Martin only told him he wanted to take the empty gericans back to Nigeria.
Anokwara confirmed that he is the owner of the cartridges, but said they were not meant for robbery. He said he only supplies hunters and licensed owners of double barrel guns, adding that he only sells them in Anambra.
Martin explained that the driver of the truck fell sick which made him contract Dauda to drive him back to Nigeria saying that they had entered the country before they were apprehended by the customs.
The Customs Controller of the Niger, Kwara and Kogi Commamd said that they would be charged to court after investigations.