Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Hakan Cakil, has reacted to the shipment of illegal arms from Turkey stating that the Country would not support any dangerous shipment to Nigeria and emphasizing that the country is in support of Nigeria’s security and unity.
Mr Cakil defended his country pointing out that all four shipments seized by the Nigeria Customs Service, had false declarations on the bill of lading. He described it as a case of smuggling.
In a meeting between the Comptroller General of NCS, Col. Hameed Ali and the Turkish Ambassador, Mr Ali lamented the continuous shipments of illegal arms from Turkey.
Public Relations Officer, NCS, Mr Joseph Attah, said the meeting also deliberated on the solutions to the problem.
Mr Cakil promised to communicate the outcome of the investigations from NCS to his country, as this will help expose those behind the illegal shipment.
He asked that NCS provides a list of items prohibited to the Turkish authority and, in the case of arms, a sample of end user certificate, to enable them always verify before approving any legal arms export to Nigeria.
Both Countries have agreed to work together to stop the dangerous trend as well as fish out those behind the act.