CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Police intelligence operatives from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, have intercepted a container having live ammunition and contraband goods worth millions of Naira inside vehicles.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that five suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the container housing the items and linked the shipment to Mrs. Maria Adeyemi based in United States America (USA ).
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Supol Mayegun Aminat, at the FCID, Alagbon, Lagos. She confirmed the arrest of the suspects and interception of the container.
The statements read:
“In a separate major operation, the FCID Annex intercepted a consignment of 300 rounds of live ammunition and multiple contraband goods through credible intelligence received by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Margaret Ochalla.”
“The driver, Nelson Peretei, was arrested and brought to FCID Annex for questioning. A comprehensive search of the container—conducted in the presence of the clearing agent and suspected receivers—led to the recovery of:
• 300 rounds of 9mm live ammunition concealed in a Nissan Frontier pickup,• Two Toyota Sienna vans, • One Nissan Frontier pickup, One SCION XA vehicle, 24 bags of foreign rice, 7 bales of used clothing (Okirika), cartons of vegetable oil, various household items”
“Five suspects were arrested in connection with the consignment. Investigations linked the shipment to Mrs. Maria Adeyemi, based in the United States, who failed to declare the ammunition and contraband in the bill of lading. Further inquiry exposed an attempt by a self-acclaimed retired U.S. Marine Colonel, Sunny Nwadiri, to claim ownership of the ammunition through an intermediary, without providing verifiable personal details.”
“Preliminary findings indicate strategic concealment of the illegal items among legitimate goods, with none of the ammunition or contraband listed in the shipping documents—a clear attempt to evade port security systems.”
“The FCID is conducting deeper investigations into the source, intended destination, and possible ties to broader criminal or arms-trafficking networks. The Department is working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure thorough intelligence-sharing and prosecution in accordance with the Firearms Act, Cap F28, LFN, and other relevant laws.”
Under the leadership of the AIG in charge of FCID Annex, Lagos, AIG Margaret A. Ochalla, and in alignment with the vision and mission of the Inspector-General of Police, the FCID Annex Alagbon reaffirms its unwavering commitment to:
•Disrupting cyber-crime networks
•Protecting Nigeria’s creative and economic assets
•Combating arms trafficking and contraband smuggling
•Ensuring national security and public safety
The AIG encourages members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security efforts. The FCID remains steadfast in its mandate to pursue criminals, dismantle illicit networks, and ensure that all offenders are brought to justice without hesitation” it stated.