Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu
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 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 vessel was said to have been given a clean bill until the SSS operatives discovered the bombs.
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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