Nigerian Govt. Arraigns 10 Suspects Over Importation of 844 Firearms, 112,500 Cartridges in Rivers State

A federal high court in Abuja on Monday arraigned 10 suspects arrested in Onne Port Harcourt, River State, for alleged illegal importation of firearms.

The 10 suspects include Ali Samson Ofoma, Okechukwu Gabriel Charles, Kingsley Mbibi Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Mayowa Segun, Augustine John Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Wahab Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilfain and Tolulope Ogundepo.

Other allegations leading to the arraignment were fortification of documents, import without authority and terrorism, as file FHA/22/463/2024 revealed.

It will be recalled on July 2, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) claimed it acted on credible intelligence received on June 21, 2024, leading to an interception of a suspicious 1×40-foot container from Turkey.

According to the NCS, the shipment contained 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition, adding, “These items were concealed among doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags, with a total duty-paid value of ₦4,171,710,000.00.”

Meanwhile, a source familiar with one of the suspects told West Africa Weekly in July that the main culprit remains at large. This is also reportedly detailed in count one of four charges published by SaharaReporters.

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About The Author

Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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