The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), specifically the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ based in Ikeja, Lagos, has successfully dismantled a transborder smuggling operation specializing in the illegal trafficking of firearms, ammunition, and industrial drones. The total duty-paid value (DPV) of the confiscated items amounts to N377,110,800.
The smuggling ring employed wooden boxes and Danu Spaghetti as cover for their illicit activities and was intercepted by Customs officials in Ogun and Ondo states.
During a press briefing in Lagos, Controller Mohammed Shuaibu reported that Customs officers intercepted the contraband along bush paths near the border in Ogun and the Akure-Ore axis in Ondo.
On August 7, a patrol team, acting on reliable intelligence, stopped a Nissan Almera vehicle suspected of transporting prohibited goods in the Ilara bush paths of Ogun State. Upon the approach of Customs officers, both the driver and a passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled into nearby bushes to escape capture.
Inside the vehicle, officers discovered a cache that included 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms, originally designed in Italy, as well as second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti. Additionally, a used Mossberg pump-action shotgun (Made in the USA), bearing Serial No. P256630, was seized.
In a separate operation, another patrol team intercepted a Volkswagen sprinter bus on the Akure-Ore route in Ondo State on August 9, which contained drones hidden in wooden boxes. One suspect was apprehended at the scene, although the drones lacked proper documentation.
Shuaibu emphasized that the interception of these potentially dangerous items highlights the NCS’s commitment, under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to disrupt the activities of non-state actors and protect national security. He noted that these actions reflect the Service’s dedication to combating smuggling and criminal activities at the borders while restoring law and order.
He praised the bravery, professionalism, and dedication of the officers involved, stating, “These kinds of seizures require meticulous planning, intelligence gathering, and tactical execution. The unit remains steadfast and vigilant in its mission to minimize smuggling.”
In light of the complex security challenges facing the nation, Shuaibu urged all stakeholders to work together in preventing non-state actors from realizing their criminal goals. He encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities in their communities, underscoring that their vigilance is vital for effective law enforcement.
The seized arms and ammunition will be transferred to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for further investigation and potential prosecution.
