By Femi Anamelechi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ , Ikeja,in ite efforts against snuggling has smashed transborder smuggling ring that uncovered in smuggling firearms, ammunition and drones into the country. The notorious smuggling gang, which specializes in smuggling illegal drones, arms and ammunition using wooden box and Danu Spaghetti as decoys was ambushed by eagle eyed Customs officials in Ogun and Ondo States.This was disclosed during a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday 2nd September 2025 by the Controller of the Unit, Mohammed Shuaibu.The CAC pointed out that two industrial drones, arms and ammunition were intercepted by officers and men of the Unit along the bush paths near the border in Ogun State and Akure- Ore axis in Ondo state.The Comptroller said: “On Thursday, 7th August 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.” He continued that following a thorough search of the intercepted vehicle the officers revealed the following items, carefully concealed within second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti: 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms (designed in Italy) with the following serial numbers: 22-0743, 602-H22YT-556602-H22YT-700, 698-H21PT-24 (Pump Action) 602-H22YT-586, 602-H22YT-551602-H22YT-566, 19KS-0193, 602-H22YT-415 22-1809, 22-1466, 602-H22YT-642602-H22YT-583 and 602-H22YT-572.The resilient officers of the Unit he said,: “also intercepted one used Mossberg pump action shotgun (Made in USA) Serial No. P256630. According to the Comptroller on the whole the FOU Zone A unit made siezure of a of a total 15 assorted rifles, 4,841 rounds of ammunition, two cartons of Danu Spaghetti (20 pieces per carton), two bales and one sack of used clothing that were used as decoys.
He further stated that the command in another intelligence driven patrol!, “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 9th August 2025.”Further investigation of the bus “C.nfirmed the drones to be industrial drones without proper documents. The CAC disclosed that the command arrested one suspect 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.”The Comptroller pointed out that the interception of these security threatening items clearly “underscores the resilience and unwavering commitment of the Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to effectively continue the fight against the activities of arm smugglers and safeguard national security.” These efforts reflect the Service’s dedication to combating smuggling and criminality at our borders while restoring law and order.
Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu also emphasized 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). He said 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.The intercepted illegal arms were later handed over to the representative of National control on Small Arms, Retired O commissioner Sbioudun Amutalam. “The intercepted arms and ammunition were later handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons represented by Retired Police Commissioner Abioudun Amutalam (NCCSALW) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
