By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone A (FOU A), has announced a series of high-profile interceptions involving firearms, ammunition, and two industrial drones, following coordinated enforcement operations across the Southwest region.
A statement signed by Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu described the seizures as part of a sustained crackdown on smuggling syndicates that pose threats to national security.
On Thursday, August 7, 2025, at about 2:13 a.m., Customs patrol officers acting on credible intelligence intercepted a Nissan Almera suspected of transporting prohibited goods through the Ilara bush paths near the Ogun State border. The occupants abandoned the vehicle and escaped upon sighting the operatives.
A detailed search of the vehicle revealed 15 assorted rifles, including 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms and one Mossberg pump-action shotgun, alongside 4,841 rounds of ammunition. The weapons were concealed among bales of second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti.
In a separate operation conducted on Saturday, August 9, 2025, another patrol team stopped a Volkswagen Sprinter bus along the Akure-Ore axis in Ondo State. The bus was found to be carrying industrial drones without proper documentation, leading to the arrest of one suspect.
The Service valued the seized goods, including the foodstuffs and clothing used to conceal them, at N377.1 million.
Shuaibu said the interception underscored the NCS’s determination, under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to dismantle smuggling networks and strengthen border security.
He reiterated that the importation of arms, ammunition, and drones requires valid authorisation and an End User Certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
“These seizures were achieved through meticulous planning, intelligence gathering, and precise execution,” he said. “I commend the courage and professionalism of our officers whose dedication made this possible.”
He disclosed that the seized firearms and ammunition would be transferred to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for further investigation and prosecution.
The Customs Service appealed to Nigerians to stay alert and report suspicious movements, noting that strong collaboration between citizens and security agencies is essential in combating smuggling and insecurity.
