2, 700 anti-aircraft bombs intercepted in Rivers
The
vessel identified as MV Iron Trader which was intercepted by the State
Security Service on Thursday in Port Harcourt, was carrying 2,700
anti-aircraft and anti-tank bombs, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.
Security sources told our correspondent in Abuja on Friday that the bombs were concealed in a 20-foot container on the ship.
The container is being guarded by a combined team of SSS operatives, soldiers and policemen.
It was learnt that the cargo which
originated from Turkey was brought into the country under the guise that
they were building rods.
The vessel was said to have been given a clean bill until the SSS operatives discovered the bombs.
The six-man crew members were said to
have claimed that they were coming from Panama in Central America, but
investigations by the SSS indicated that the cargo originated from
Turkey.
The crew members were also said to have
told interrogators that the weapons were being taken to Uruguay, but
the SSS said that was a lie because of Uruguay’s distance to Nigeria.
“The crew of the ship claimed that they
were carrying iron rods, but when operatives of the State Security
Service searched the ship and found 2,700 anti-aircraft and anti-tank
bombs in a container, the crew members said that the deadly cargo was
being taken to Uruguay, but how can a cargo meant for Uruguay find its
way to Nigeria and they didn’t even get a security clearance to bring it
into the country,” a top security officer stated.
It was gathered that the SSS had decided
to keep tabs on consignments from Turkey, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan,
Pakistan and other countries that were perceived to have links with
terrorists.
The surveillance on shipment from
countries on the watch-list was said to have informed the check on the
vessel and the subsequent discovery of the bombs.
The SSS Deputy Director, Public
Relations, Marilyn Ogar, who confirmed the development, stated that
investigation into the importation of the arms had commenced
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