Customs intercepts large arms cache, live ammunitions, drones in Ogun, Ondo
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized large cache of arms and live ammunitions and self-propelled industrial drones in two separate well-coordinated enforcement operations in Ogun and Ondo States..
The seized arms and live ammunitions comprise 14 units of used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms designed in Italy, one unit of used Mossberg pump action shotgun, manufactured in the USA, bringing to a total of 15 assorted rifles.
Comptroller Shuaibu inspects some of the seized arms and live ammunitions.
Also seized were 4,841 rounds of live ammunitions, two units of self-propelled industrial drones, imported without proper documents, two cartons of Danu Spaghetti (20 pieces per carton), and bales and one sack of used clothing- all with a duty paid value DPV of N377.1million while one suspect was arrested.
Comptroller General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, who was represented by the head of the FOU, Lagos, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu during a media briefing in Lagos, Tuesday to unveil the seized items, warned that the Service would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to ensure border security in the country.
While giving details of the seizures, the CGC said: “In a coordinated enforcement operation, the Nigeria Customs Service NCS, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, has announced significant interceptions of firearms, ammunition, and two (2) industrial drones as part of an ongoing offensive to dismantle smuggling networks within the Southwest region of the country.
“On Thursday, August 7, 2025, at approximately 0213hrs, one of our patrol teams, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a Nissan Almera vehicle suspected of conveying prohibited items via the Ilara bush paths near the border in Ogun State. Upon sighting our officers, the driver and one passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush to evade arrest. A thorough search of the intercepted vehicle revealed carefully concealed within it second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti, the firearms and live ammunitions.
“Additionally, another patrol team made a separate interception of a Volkswagen sprinter bus suspected to convey drones in a wooden box along the Akure- Ore axis in Ondo state while on a routine patrol. The arrest occurred at about 0910hrs of August, 2025.
“Further investigation of the bus confirms the drones to be industrial drones without proper documents. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure. The drones, second-hand clothing, and cartons of spaghetti have a duty paid value DPV, of N377.1million only.”
The Comptroller, who also bared his mind on the development, noted that the interception of these security threatening items underscores the unwavering commitment of the Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, to disrupt the activities of non-state actors and safeguard national security. These efforts reflect the Service’s dedication to combating smuggling and criminality at our borders while restoring law and order.
“Let me take this opportunity to reiterate that the importation of arms, ammunition, or drones of this nature requires valid approval, permits, and an End User Certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser ONSA. Any deviation from these regulatory requirements will be treated as a deliberate attempt to undermine national security and will be met with swift and decisive action by all relevant security agencies, including the NCS.
“These kinds of seizures are not achieved without serious planning, intelligence gathering, and tactical execution. I therefore commend the bravery, professionalism, and commitment of our officers, whose efforts made this successful interception possible. The unit remains resolute and vigilant in its mission to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum.
“At a time when our nation faces complex security challenges, it is imperative that all stakeholders remain aligned in our collective efforts to prevent these non-state actors from achieving their criminal objectives. I, therefore, call on all well-meaning Nigerians to report suspicious movements or activities within their communities. Your vigilance is critical to enabling law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties effectively”, Comptroller Shuaibu said.
A highpoint of the unveiling of the intercepted items was the official hand over of the arms and ammunitions to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons NCCSALW for further investigation and possible prosecution. This is also in line with the NCS’s commitment to fostering inter-agency collaboration.
A representative of the NCCSALW, Commissioner of Police, CP Arametu Abiodun thanked the Service, especially the FOU Zone for its robust partnership and collaboration with sister security agencies, which had led to these significant seizures.
He called for more partnerships and close collaborations in line with the efforts of the government to rid the country of small arms and light weapons.
•Photo Caption: Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu displays one of the seized drones
