FCID intercepts 300 rounds of ammunition in Lagos

Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID Annex in Alagbon, Lagos, have seized 300 rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed inside a Nissan Frontier pickup truck imported into the country.

Assistant Inspector General, AIG Margaret Ochalla, who displayed the seized items on Wednesday, said the intercepted container also contained two Toyota Sienna vans, a SCION XA car, 24 bags of foreign rice, seven bales of used clothing, and several cartons of vegetable oil and other household goods.

Five suspects, including the driver, Nelson Peretei, have been arrested in connection with the discovery.

In a statement, the FCID spokesperson, ASP Aminat Mayegun, disclosed that investigators linked the container to a U.S.-based sender, Mrs Maria Adeyemi, who allegedly failed to declare the ammunition and other prohibited items in the bill of lading. Another individual, Sunny Nwadiri, who claimed to be a retired U.S. Marine Colonel, reportedly attempted to take responsibility for the ammunition but could not provide credible documentation to support his claim.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the ammunition and contraband were intentionally concealed to bypass security checks at the port. Further inquiries are ongoing, with the FCID working alongside the Nigeria Customs Service and the Department of State Services, DSS, to determine the source, destination, and potential criminal networks linked to the shipment,” the department stated.