Crack detectives attached to the Force Criminal Investigation Department FCID Annex Alagbon Ikoyi Lagos, have uncovered three hundred rounds of live 9mm ammunition buried in a vehicle imported into the country.
The shipment of the deadly goods and other contraband into the country has been traced a Nigerian woman based in the United States of America USA; adding that a retired Colonel with the US Marine was already claiming ownership of the ammunition.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Unit, ASP Aminat Mayegun said the cobsignment raised suspicion when both the ammunition and other contraband were not included in the Bill of Ladding suggestive of surreptitious moves to evade the Customs and DSS at the Port.
She said, “On behalf of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, AIG Margaret Agebe Ochalla, I warmly welcome you to this media briefing. Today, we are present to you, a major breakthrough in our investigation activities. In a major operation, the FCID Annex intercepted a consignment of 300 rounds of live ammunition and multiple contraband goods through credible intelligence received by the AIG. The driver, Nelson Peretei, was arrested and brought to FCID Annex for questioning. A comprehensive search of the container—conducted in the presence of the clearing agent and suspected receivers—led to the recovery of: 300 rounds of 9mm live ammunition concealed in a Nissan Frontier pickup, 2 Toyota Sienna vans, one Nissan Frontier pickup, one SCION XA vehicle, 24 bags of foreign, 7 bales of used clothing (Okirika) and Cartons of vegetable oil, various household items.
“Five suspects were arrested in connection with the consignment. Investigations linked the shipment to Mrs. Maria Adeyemi, based in the United States, who failed to declare the ammunition and contraband in the bill of lading. Further inquiry exposed an attempt by a self-acclaimed retired U.S. Marine Colonel, Sunny Nwadiri, to claim ownership of the ammunition through an intermediary, without providing verifiable personal details. Preliminary findings indicate strategic concealment of the illegal items among legitimate goods, with none of the ammunition or contraband listed in the shipping documents—a clear attempt to evade port security systems.
The FCID is conducting deeper investigations into the source, intended destination, and possible ties to broader criminal or arms-trafficking networks. The Department is working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and 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.
Under the leadership of the AIG in charge of FCID Annex, Lagos, AIG Margaret A. Ochalla, and in alignment with the vision and mission of the Inspector-General of Police, the FCID Annex Alagbon reaffirms its unwavering commitment to: Disrupting cyber-crime networks, protecting Nigeria’s creative and economic assets, combating arms trafficking and contraband smuggling, ensuring national security and public safety.
The AIG encourages 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.”