By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
OFFICERS of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, have intercepted a consignment containing 300 rounds of live ammunition concealed within an assortment of contraband items, following credible intelligence received by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Margaret Ochalla.
The driver of the shipment, identified as Nelson Peretei, was arrested and taken into custody for questioning.
A detailed search of the container, conducted in the presence of the clearing agent and suspected receivers, led to the discovery of 300 rounds of 9mm live ammunition hidden inside a Nissan Frontier pickup.
Other items recovered include two Toyota Sienna vans, another Nissan Frontier pickup, a Scion XA vehicle, 24 bags of foreign rice, seven bales of used clothing (popularly known as okirika), cartons of vegetable oil, and various household goods.
Five suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the consignment. Investigations traced the shipment to one Maria Adeyemi, a United States–based individual who allegedly failed to declare both the ammunition and contraband in the bill of lading.
Further inquiry also revealed an attempt by a self-acclaimed retired U.S. Marine Colonel, Sunny Nwadiri, to falsely claim ownership of the ammunition through an intermediary, despite failing to provide any verifiable personal documentation.
Preliminary findings indicate that the ammunition and contraband were deliberately concealed among legitimate goods, with none of the prohibited items listed in the shipping documents—an apparent effort to evade port security and regulatory checks.
Under the leadership of AIG Margaret A. Ochalla, and in line with the vision and mission of the Inspector-General of Police, the FCID Annex, Alagbon, reiterated its firm commitment to disrupting criminal networks, protecting Nigeria’s economic and creative assets, and combating the trafficking of arms and smuggling of contraband.
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