The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has carried out a major security operation in the South-West, intercepting rifles, ammunition, and two industrial drones with an estimated duty paid value of N377.1 million. The seizures, linked to smuggling networks, involved items manufactured in Italy and the United States.
Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu of the Federal Operations Unit confirmed the seizures during a press conference held in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday. He explained that the operations took place in Ogun and Ondo states between August 7 and 9, 2025, and were based on actionable intelligence.
He noted that in the early hours of August 7, around 2:13 a.m., customs officers intercepted a Nissan Almera along the Ilara bush paths near the Ogun border. The occupants of the vehicle reportedly abandoned it and escaped into the forest when confronted by operatives.
According to a report on The Guardian NG, a search of the vehicle “uncovered 15 assorted rifles, including 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms designed in Italy and one Mossberg pump-action shotgun manufactured in the United States. Officers also recovered 4,841 rounds of live ammunition, bales of used clothing, and cartons of spaghetti concealed inside the car.”
In a separate operation two days later, another patrol team intercepted a Volkswagen Sprinter bus along the Akure-Ore axis in Ondo State. Shuaibu said a wooden box inside the bus contained two industrial drones without proper documentation. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.
The Comptroller further stated that the duty paid value of the arms, drones, ammunition, and other items “was estimated at N377.1 million. Shuaibu stressed that the importation of arms, ammunition, or drones requires valid approval, permits, and an End User Certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).”
He warned that any breach of this requirement would be treated as a deliberate attempt to undermine national security.
He stressed that Nigeria is grappling with serious security threats and called for unity among all stakeholders to stop non-state actors from advancing their criminal agendas.
The seized weapons and ammunition have been transferred to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), which will handle further investigations and pursue prosecution where necessary.
