Customs seizes military wares, explosive-making chemical in Ogun
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, said it has intercepted 20 drums of Calcium Carbide smuggled into the country from neighboring countries.
Addressing reporters, the acting Customs Area Controller, of the Zone, Hussein Ejibunu, said the drums were intercepted in Ogun State.
He stated that 41 pieces of military camouflage bags were also intercepted.
According to him, calcium carbide is highly inflammable as it can be used to manufacture Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and could cause danger to life and property.
He stated further that the carbide is controlled and must come with an end-users certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) before it can be allowed into the country.
According to him: “20 drums of Calcium Carbide were seized in Ogun State. It is instructive to emphasise that such importation raises concerns of national security. This is because it is a chemical used in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and could cause danger to life and property.
“Allowing things like this chemical into the society uncontrollably could create serious security challenges for the country because carbide is highly flammable, reactive and can cause explosion hazards when mixed with other chemicals and exposed to water or moisture. It forms flammable acetylene gas that could be used to endanger lives by lawless persons.”
The Customs chief added that the unit intercepted nine trucks load of foreign parboiled rice, 56,725 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as Petrol, among others worth over N579million Nation
