THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded another major breakthrough in its fight against smuggling, intercepting arms, ammunition, and high-tech drones with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of more than ₦377 million.
News Point Nigeria reports that the seizures were carried out by operatives of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, as part of sustained operations to dismantle smuggling syndicates across the Southwest region.
Addressing journalists at the FOU headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, the Unit Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, disclosed that the seizures came from coordinated intelligence-led patrols in Ogun and Ondo States.
According to Shuaibu, operatives along Ilara axis, Ogun State, intercepted a suspicious Nissan Almera vehicle with Spaghetti company paint attempting to sneak through bush paths.
A thorough search revealed a deadly cache: 15 assorted rifles including 14 JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms (Italian-made) and one Mossberg pump-action shotgun (U.S.-made, Serial No. P256630), 4,841 rounds of live ammunition, two bales and a sack of second-hand clothing, two cartons of Danu Spaghetti.
The rifles, bearing serial numbers such as 22-0743, 602-H22YT-556, and 698-H21PT-24, were carefully concealed within cartons of pasta and bales of clothing in an attempt to evade detection.
“Upon sighting our officers, the driver and a passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush,” Shuaibu said, adding that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In a separate operation on August 9, 2025, another patrol team along the Akure-Ore axis of Ondo State intercepted a Volkswagen Sprinter bus at about 9:10 am. The bus was found transporting two industrial drones concealed in a wooden box without valid import documentation.
“One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure,” Shuaibu confirmed.
The Comptroller emphasized that the importation of arms, ammunition, and drones without proper End User Certificates from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is a direct violation of national security laws.
“These seizures demonstrate the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment under the leadership of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi to combating smuggling and securing the nation’s borders from the activities of non-state actors,” he stated.
Shuaibu praised his officers for their professionalism and courage in executing the risky operations, stressing that the success was made possible through strategic intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and tactical execution.
He appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
“In line with our commitment to inter-agency collaboration, the seized arms and ammunition will be handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for further investigation and possible prosecution,” Shuaibu added.