AMATO Commends Customs Over Intercepted Arms Container, Seeks Protection for Innocent Truckers
The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has commended the Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its eagle-eyed discovery of arms and ammunition concealed inside a container, warning that innocent truck owners could have paid the price had the concealment gone undetected.
In a statement signed by its President, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, AMATO said: “This discovery deserves commendation, particularly because, had the concealment not been detected before the container was loaded onto a truck, the innocent truck owner could have found himself in serious trouble. The truck could have been arrested and impounded while investigations continued, despite the truck owner having no knowledge of the contents concealed inside the container.”
The association commended the vigilance, professionalism and intelligence-driven operations of the NCS in uncovering what it described as an attempt by a dubious and criminal-minded importer to conceal prohibited items through dishonest declaration, noting that such acts constitute a serious security threat to the nation while also exposing innocent truck owners and operators to unnecessary arrests, impoundment and prolonged investigations.
AMATO said incidents of this nature helped explain some of the challenges previously encountered by truck owners, particularly cases where trucks were arrested, impounded and subjected to further action over discrepancies or offences relating to the contents of containers they transported, even where the owners had no prior knowledge of the concealment or false declaration.
While acknowledging that the law empowers the Customs Service to act whenever offences are detected, the association said: “We respectfully urge importers and all stakeholders to desist from involving innocent transport operators in fraudulent or criminal activities through false declarations or concealment of prohibited items.”
The association further expressed appreciation to the NCS, particularly the present management under the leadership of Comptroller-General Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for its continued efforts at strengthening customs intelligence, border security and the protection of the nation’s interests, and congratulated the Customs Intelligence team on the discovery.
