Interesting story at:

http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/201010270620.html


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Nigeria: SSS Intercepts Arms Shipment in Lagos - Rockets Launchers,
Grenades Found
Francis Ugwoke And Tobi Soniyi
26 October 2010

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Lagos/Abuja — The State Security Service (SSS) yesterday seized an
illegal arms shipment containing "rocket launchers, grenades and other
explosives," at the Apapa Wharf, Lagos, the largest shipping port in
the country. SSS said the shipment was in 13 containers.

Security was immediately tightened at the Apapa Wharf last night as
SSS, Police, Customs and naval officials condoned off the area where
the ship was being detained and its contents examined.

The seizure came on the heels of the October 1 Independence Day
bombings in Abuja which killed at least 12 people and injured many
others.

Former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta
(MEND), Henry Okah, is at present facing terrorism charges in South
Africa in respect of the bombings, while his brother Charles and six
others were dragged to court last week in Lagos in connection with the
blasts.

Charges have not been preferred against Charles and others in
Lagos.SSS Spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar, who confirmed the seizure, said
security agents had only gone through eight crates inside one of the
shipping containers labelled as carrying "building materials".

Four crates contained floor tiles and marbles, while the other four
crates contained military-grade armaments," she said.She said agents
would continue to search the containers through the night, hoping to
have more information.Ogar failed to identify the ship carrying the
container or its final destination.But a source at the port said the
ship was coming from Iran and might be headed for The Gambia.

"There was no declaration about the arrival of the ship and the
information we got was that it was meant for Gambia," he said.

The SSSâ-àspokeswoman said in a terse statement: "Today at the Apapa
Wharf, the State Security Service as part of its extra security
surveillance since the October 1 incidence, intercepted 13 containers.

"On opening the first container, the service operatives discovered
rocket launchers, grenades and other explosives. The contents and
findings from the other detained 12 containers, which the service is
opening after the first, would be made public."The service has
launched investigations immediately on the discovery and the
circumstances surrounding it."

Okah denied the charges against him and also said he was not MEND
leader or the one writing the organisation's correspondence under the
pseudo name Jomo Gbomo.

The bid by Okah last Friday to view evidence used by South African
prosecutors to link him to the October 1 Abuja bombings was dealt a
blow by the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court.

Also, Okah's wife, Azuka, faced contempt of court charges at the same
Johannesburg Magistrate's Court. Her phone rang during hearing of the
bail application for her husband last Thursday.

Meanwhile, the five persons arrested with Charles in connection with
the bomb blasts regained their freedom from detention last weekend.

Handing down judgment, Magistrate Hein Louw only granted Okah's
defence team access to the hard drives of computers and cell phones
confiscated from his home during an October 2 raid.

"I order that a mirror copy image of computer hard drives, cell phone
hard drives and memories be made available to the applicant in no
later than three working days," Louw said.

He refused to give the defence permission to access information
underpinning the state's latest revelation in Okah's bail application.

"In due course the defence will have opportunity to access such
information," Louw ordered.

The prosecution had said in an affidavit that Okah had exchanged
emails, text messages with the alleged bombers and even bought two
cars for the operation.

Copyright © 2010 This Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by
AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

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