By Stella Christian

The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Command, have arrested a middle-aged clearing agent, Alhaji Aminu Kusa following the discovery of a concealed air pistol in the luggage he was about to clear.

Customs Area Comptroller, Alhaji Tukura Haruna Danladi disclosed this while parading the suspect. He added that the suspect was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport by his men. The Area Comptroller gave the pistol’s specification, including its serial no as 08010584, adding that the gun was seized after it arrived the country from Cairo on board a Sudanese Airline.

Danladi, who reiterated that importation of arms and ammunition is prohibited in Nigeria, explained that the item was picked by his vigilant officers at the port. he also disclosed that the suspect was arrested being the nearest intermediary between the good he was about to clear and the actual owner of the items.

He, however, noted that further investigation into the arrest will be conducted by the police after the receipt of the suspect adding that it is normal that after any arms-related arrest is made by the Customs Service, the affected suspect is handed over to the police. “It is the normal procedure with the customs that whenever we seize arms and ammunition, we normally hand the suspects over to the police to continue the investigations,” he stated.

“Immediately after the press briefing, the Customs would hand over the suspect to the Police Commissioner or his representatives for further interrogation,” he added.

He justified the arrest of the clearing agent noting that, “agents stand in for the owner of the goods. He was there as an intermediary. He was there to clear the goods and he is the only suspect we have for now.

Other parts of the investigation would come up and reveal more details as time goes on”He said clearing agents are registered with the Nigeria Customs Service and are well exposed to the knowledge of what it takes to be clearing agents.”

They are also equipped with all the laws and tariffs that will guide them. We have prohibited items and we have items that are allowed in. So, they, in turn, know what is expected of them.”