In reinforcing its onslaught against insecurity and economic saboteurs, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) again intercepts arms, ammunition and industrial drones along the South-west corridor
By Edu Abade
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has again restated its commitment to combating insecurity head-on, insisting that economic saboteurs and criminal elements, who are bent on perpetrating violence, banditry, kidnapping and terrorism in the country are defeated and brought to book. The Command also said it has stretched its dragnet against importers and smugglers in illicit firearms into the country.
The NCS FOU stated at a media briefing on the interception of firearms, ammunition and industrial drones by the Controller of FOU Zone A, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu on September 2, 2025, saying, “The interception of the security threatening items underscores the unwavering commitment of the Service to disrupt the activities of non-state actors and safeguard national security. Our efforts reflect the Service’s dedication to combating smuggling and criminality at our borders while restoring law and order.
Shuaibu explained that the men and officers of the Unit achieved the feat through a coordinated enforcement operation, as part of an ongoing offensive to dismantle smuggling networks within the South west 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 the following items, carefully concealed within second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti,” he said.
Giving details of the intercepted items, the Area Controller (CAC) FOU Zone ‘A’ said the Unit impounded 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms (designed in Italy) with serial numbers: 22-0743, 602-H22YT-556, 602-H22YT-700, 698-H21PT-24 (Pump Action), 602-H22YT-586, 602-H22YT-551 and 602-H22YT-566. Others were 19KS-0193, 602-H22YT-415, 22-1809, 22-1466, 602-H22YT-642, 602-H22YT-583, 602-H22YT-572 and used Mossberg pump action shotgun (Made in USA) with serial No. P256630, all amounting to a total of 15 assorted rifles.
Also intercepted were 4,841 rounds of live ammunition, two cartons of Danu Spaghetti (20 pieces per carton), as well as two bales and one sack of used clothing.
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 9, 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 N377.1 million.
“The interception of the security threatening items underscores the unwavering commitment of the Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, 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,” he added.
The Controller stressed that the importation of arms, ammunition or drones of this nature required valid approval, permits and an End User Certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), adding that any deviation from the 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, charge 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.
“In line with the NCS’s commitment to fostering inter-agency collaboration, the intercepted arms and ammunition will be handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he said.
In an earlier development, Comptroller Shuaibu also handed over various expired pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), during a courtesy visit to the unit by the new NAFDAC Director, enforcement and investigation, Dr. Martin Iluyomade.
Shuaibu, who addressed journalists at the FOU Zone ‘A’ Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, reaffirmed the service’s dedication to upholding the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the NCS and NAFDAC, noting that the MoU marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against fake and counterfeit products.
“What we are witnessing today is a follow up of the MoU,” he stated, “emphasizing the importance of collaboration among regulatory and security agencies to continuously thwart the smuggling and importation of these harmful consignments.”
He further said that three trucks filled with various brands of expired pharmaceutical products were being handed over. These include items in sacks and cartons such as Hyergra, Royal Tablets 225, CSC Codeine Syrup, Really Extra, Tramadol, Amlodipine, Milk Oil Flavour and Firegra, among others. The wide range of these products poses serious risks to public health if not properly regulated. It was revealed that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the expired pharmaceuticals stood at ₦3.779 billion.
In a statement made available to journalists, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Unit, Hussaini Abdullahi, a Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC), revealed that Shuaibu stressed that the service remains committed to ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications, adding, “Expired products must be handled with utmost seriousness. The potential risks to public health from expired or counterfeit products cannot be understated.”
He further assured members of the public that the service prioritizes the health and safety of Nigerians by preventing expired or counterfeit drugs from circulating in the market. The handover, he noted, is not a one-off event, as more products will be transferred to NAFDAC following the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
He restated the importance of the continued collaboration between NCS and NAFDAC, saying, “This collaborative effort sets a precedent for future actions aimed at ensuring that only safe and effective medications are available to the Nigerian population.”
A representative of NAFDAC, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, who received the consignments on behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC, commended the NCS for its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the MoU signed between both agencies.
He lauded the ongoing collaboration, describing it as a “healthy and strategic partnership” and pledged that NAFDAC would redouble its efforts in the fight against smuggling of counterfeit and fake pharmaceutical products across the country.
