Police Arrest 5 Suspects Over Shipment Of 300 Rounds Of Ammunition In Lagos

Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annexe, Alagbon, Lagos, have intercepted a consignment containing 300 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and contraband items, leading to the arrest of five suspects in a breakthrough against arms trafficking in the state.

The suspects were paraded on Wednesday at the FCID Annexe by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the department, AIG Magret Ochalla, who was represented by the department’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Aminat Mayegun.

Mayegun said the discovery followed credible intelligence received by the department. She confirmed that the ammunition was concealed inside a Nissan Frontier pickup imported through the port.

“The driver of the vehicle, one Nelson Peretei, was arrested and brought to FCID Annexe for questioning. A comprehensive search of the container, conducted in the presence of the clearing agent and the suspected receivers, led to the recovery of three hundred rounds of 9mm live ammunition concealed in the vehicle,” Mayegun said.

Mayegun further stated that investigations traced the importation to a United States-based Mrs Maria Adeyemi, who allegedly failed to declare the ammunition and contraband on the bill of lading.

The police spokesperson said the investigation also revealed an attempt by a self-acclaimed retired US Marine Colonel, identified as Sunny Nwadiri, to claim ownership of the ammunition by proxy without presenting a verifiable identity.

Mayegun noted that preliminary findings showed a strategic concealment of the ammunition among legitimate goods without any of the items listed in the shipping documents, an apparent attempt to evade port security systems.

The PPRO affirmed that deeper investigations were underway to uncover the source and intended destination of the weapons and to determine whether organised criminal or arms-trafficking networks are involved.

“The Department is working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure thorough intelligence-sharing and prosecution in accordance with the Firearms Act, Cap F28, LFN, and other relevant laws.

AIG Ochalla urged Nigerians to sustain collaboration with law enforcement agencies, assuring that the FCID remains focused on crushing criminal networks and ensuring accountability without compromise.

“We encourage members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security efforts. The FCID remains steadfast in its mandate to pursue criminals, dismantle illicit networks, and ensure that all offenders are brought to justice without hesitation,” she added.