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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, has intercepted a cache of firearms, ammunition, and two industrial drones in coordinated operations across Ogun and Ondo States, dealing a heavy blow to smuggling syndicates threatening national security.
Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, who disclosed the seizures on Tuesday, during a press conference, said the operations were carried out on the basis of credible intelligence and executed with precision by his officers.
Explaining the incident, the Comptroller Shuaibu said; “On August 7, 2025, at about 2:13a.m, a patrol team intercepted a Nissan Almera vehicle along Ilara bush paths near the Ogun border. The occupants abandoned the car and fled into the forest, leaving behind a deadly cargo concealed under bales of second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti.”
“A thorough search revealed 15 assorted rifles, including 14 JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms of Italian origin and one Mossberg pump-action shotgun made in the United States.
“Also recovered were 4,841 rounds of live ammunition, two bales and one sack of second-hand clothing, and two cartons of spaghetti.”
He added that in a separate operation two days later, “on August 9 at 9:10 a.m., another patrol team along the Akure-Ore axis in Ondo State intercepted a Volkswagen Sprinter bus carrying two industrial drones packed inside a wooden box. One suspect was arrested after failing to present proper documentation for the drones.”
According to the FOU Zone A Customs boss, the duty paid value (DPV) of the seizures, including the firearms, ammunition, drones, and other goods, was estimated at N377,110,800.
Shuaibu said the arrests demonstrated the Service’s determination under Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, to disrupt the operations of non-state actors and secure Nigeria’s borders.
“The importation of arms, ammunition, or drones requires valid permits and an End User Certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser. Any deviation is a direct assault on national security and will be met with swift and decisive action,” he declared.
While noting that the smugglers evaded during the arrest, Comptroller Shuaibu assured that efforts are being intensified to apprehend the perpetrators of the crime.
When quizzed on the public perception of the operation without suspects, Shuaibu stressed that the smugglers knew they were carrying smuggled items so they prepared to flee as this operation happened at about 2am.
Having previously served at Customs Area Controller, Ogun 1 Command, Comptroller Shuaibu argued that whole of the officers in Zone A cannot police Ogun 1 Command border regions.
While commending the professionalism and bravery of his officers, stressing that such operations required serious intelligence gathering and tactical execution; Shuaibu noted that he would prioritise community engagement and sensitisation to ensure border communities don’t support such illegal activities.
The seized arms and ammunition were handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for further investigation and prosecution.
At a time of mounting security challenges across the country, Shuaibu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities in their communities, noting that public cooperation is crucial in the fight against criminality.
