Customs FOU ‘A’ Hands Over Seized Firearms, Ammunition to NCCSALW, Intercepts Two Industrial Drones Along Akure-Ore Axis

ZAINAB JUNAID

As part of the ongoing efforts to dismantle smuggling networks within the Southwest region of the country, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A has announced significant interception of firearms, ammunition, and two (2) industrial drones hidden in a Nissan Almera vehicle and a Volkswagen sprinter bus. The ammunition were handed over to representative of National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), a centre domiciled under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), for further action.

Addressing journalists at the Unit’s Headquarters in Lagos on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, Comptroller MS Shuaibu made the announcement, noting that the seizures were carried out in a coordinated enforcement operation.

According to him, “On Thursday, 7th August 2025, at approximately 0213hrs, one of the Unit’s 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 the following items, carefully concealed within second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti”.

The intercepted Items include: 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms (designed in Italy) with the following serial numbers: 22-0743; 602-H22YT-556; 602-H22YT-700; 698-H21PT-24 (Pump Action)V. 602-H22YT-586VI. 602-H22YT-551VII. 602-H22YT-566VIII. 19KS-0193IX. 602-H22YT-415X. 22-1809XI. 22-1466XII. 602-H22YT-642XIII. 602-H22YT-583XIV. 602-H22YT-5721 used Mossberg pump action shotgun (Made in USA) with serial no. P256630.

“Total: 15 assorted rifles; 4,841 rounds of ammunition; 2 cartons of Danu Spaghetti (20 pieces per carton); 2 bales and 1 sack of used clothing,” he stated.

Speaking further, the Comptroller informed that 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, according to him, occurred at about 0910hrs of Saturday, 9th August 2025.

“Further investigation of the bus confirmed 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, 110,800.00. Only.

“The interception of these security threatening items underscored 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,” the Comptroller added.

In line with the NCS’s commitment to fostering inter-agency collaboration, the intercepted arms and ammunition were handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Director of the South-West Zone for NCCSALW, CP Alamutu Abiodun (Rtd), acknowledged the positive results of the strategic partnerships between the Nigeria Customs Service and security agencies in combating illegal activities, particularly in preventing the importation of illegal arms and ammunition.

In his words, “The strategic partnership with other security agencies, particularly the centre has been yielding positive results. This discovery, interception, is a testament to our collective results to rid off the relentless efforts of merchants that are bent on truncating efforts of the government especially in bringing in illegal arms and ammunition through various vices.

“It is evidence that their efforts is coming to loss. My admonition to them is to retrace their steps and turn a new leaf. I want to appeal that we sustain this relationship and equally extends my appreciation to your eagle eye men on our various border for displaying high level of professionalism and selflessness”.