Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Tincan Island Command said on Tuesday that its officials had arrested over alleged importation of arms and ammunition.
Their arrests were made at the examination bay when 1,143 ammunition and two pistols were discovered in a container laden with vehicles and other household items.
The area Comptroller of the command, Mr Austin Warikoru explained that the contraband were concealed inside two Toyota cars, a Nissan car, a pick-up van and other household items.
He added that one of the suspects was an agent to the importers of the contraband.
Just three weeks ago, a combined team of security operatives at the seaports intercepted 13 containers laden with rockets and ammunition believed to have been imported from Iran.
Already, the two Iranian businessmen, suspected to have masterminded the illegal importation, were said to have escaped from the country.
According to security sources, the clearing agent, Wamakko’s attempt to clear the goods from the Apapa Ports since July was frustrated due to lack of two key papers – the Form M and Risk Assessment Report.
When it became impossible to clear the goods, Wamakko and the Iranian businessmen applied for permission to re-export the goods to The Gambia.
It was learnt that the unsuccessful attempt created a severe diplomatic relationship between The Gambia and Iran, resulting in The Gambia expelling the Iranian ambassador.
Few weeks ago, the National Task Force constituted to combat illegal importation of goods, small arms, ammunition and light weapons was reported to have impounded a lorry load of arms and ammunition in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Ships being used to steal and smuggle crude oil had in the past escaped several times, from the custody of those who arrested them.