By Omolabake Cole
Lagos, Sept. 2, ’25 (TNZ) The Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone A, Ikeja, has intercepted 4,841 rounds of ammunition and two industrial drones in a coordinated operation across Ogun and Ondo states.
TheNewsZenith reports that the Zonal Comptroller, Mohammed Shuaibu, announced the seizures at a press briefing on Tuesday in Lagos.
Shuaibu said NCS carried out the operations based on credible intelligence and executed with precision by his officers.
“On Aug. 7 at about 2.13 a.m., our patrol team intercepted a Nissan Almera car along the Ilara bush paths near the Ogun border.
“The occupants fled the scene, abandoning the car loaded with 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, the team recovered 4,841 rounds of live ammunition, two bales and one sack of second-hand clothing, and two cartons of spaghetti,” TheNewsZenith quoted Shuaibu as saying.
In another operation on Aug. 9, a Customs patrol team, along the Akure-Ore axis in Ondo State, also intercepted a Volkswagen Sprinter bus.
The team discovered two industrial drones packed inside a wooden box in the vehicle.
He said the operatives arrested one suspect after failing to present proper documentation for the drones.
Read Related News:
- NCS intercept ₦1.84bn petrol, goods at notorious flashpoints
- Benue: Implement earlier directive – Tinubu tells Security chiefs
- Police recover stolen vehicles, arrest 3 suspects in Ghana
- Canadian Police commend NCS on border security, anti-smuggling
- Security agencies collaborate to combat drugs, arms smuggling
According to him, the comptroller, the duty paid value (DPV) of the seizures, including the firearms, ammunition, drones, and other goods, is estimated at N377.11 million.
According to Shuaibu, 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 said.
He said that his command had handed over the seized arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
Shuaibu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities in their communities, noting that public cooperation was crucial in the fight against criminality.
The South-West Zonal Coordinator of NCCSALW, retired Commissioner of Police (CP) Abiodun Alamutu, commended the Customs for the gallant operations.
Alamutu said that one illicit arm “is enough to cause damage to the country”.
He assured that NCCSALW has the mandate to retrieve illicit arms from security agencies across the country. (TNZ)
Do you have a flair for Citizenship Journalism? Share stories of local happenings with TheNewsZenith on WhatsApp: +2348033668669. For more scintillating news, visit our website: www.thenewszenith.com. Also follow us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thenewszenithOnline, Facebook: www.facebook.com/@thenewszenithonline & Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@thenewszenithonline
