The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has urged Nigeria Custom Service to work with the police for comprehensive investigation on seizure of fire arms at Tin-Can Island port in Lagos recently.
The UNODC outgoing Country Representative, Ms Cristina ALBERTIN, gave the advice when she appeared as a guest at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja.
NAN reports that UNODC deals in organised crimes like drug, child and human trafficking, smuggling of fire arms, economic crimes, money laundering, corruption and terrorism base on UN conventions and protocols.
The agency reports that 2,671riffles were seized at the port in Lagos within the last eight months of this year by customs.
She said a thorough investigation with the police would expose what had happened and who brought the rifles among others.
“Yes, we are aware that firm arms were seized in the country by customs, after the seizure I think they need to investigate to find out who and who were involved.
“In organised crime of this nature, be it drugs, fire arms and other illicit products, thorough investigation is important,’’ she said.
She, however, noted that this had not happen.
“After the final investigation, those involved in the crime must be punished and convicted accordingly.”
The outgoing representative said that UNODC, a global organisation, had been working with UN member countries.
‘’I think it is not only good enough to work within the country but also in coordination with neighboring countries.
She said UNODC’s working with neighboring countries, regions and across border nations was very important to check organised crime.
“We need operation mechanism like police officers and other law enforcement agencies.
‘’For instance, if you seize arms and you don’t know where they come from, international cooperation at global and regional level will help to tackle such challenge.
“UN conventions on drugs, arms, child and human trafficking are universal and whatever the convention says on prevention, penalisation, prosecution or partnership; this is applicable to every country in the world.”
She emphasised he need for each country to comply to the provisions of UN conventions