The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed four officers who were alleged to be involved in the importation and clearing of the 661 pump action rifles seized at Tin Can Island Port in January.
The officers were found to have illegally released a container load of arms after allegedly collecting bribes.
The officers’ dismissal was confirmed last weekend by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the NCS, Joseph Atah.
Though he gave no further details about the dismissed officers, it was learnt that they might be part of those who were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos recently.
The officers are Mahmud Hassan, Oscar Okafor, Donatus Achinulo, Matthew Okoye, said be at large, and Salihu Danjuma.
They were alleged to have conspired to import 661 pump action rifles into the country from Turkey through the Apapa Port in Lagos, using a 40-feet container, which they falsely claimed contained steel doors.
To facilitate the illegal importation, the accused allegedly forged a number of documents including a bill of lading, a Form M and a Pre-Arrival Assessment Report.