The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, has intercepted a cache of prohibited items including 15 assorted rifles, 4,841 rounds of ammunition, and industrial drones in a major security operation across the South-West region.
The seizure, announced by the Customs Area Controller, Mohammed Shuaibu, underscores renewed efforts by the service to curb arms proliferation and dismantle smuggling syndicates threatening Nigeria’s national security.
Speaking at a press briefing in Ikeja, Shuaibu explained that officers acted on credible intelligence to intercept a Nissan Almera vehicle suspected of transporting contraband through the Ilara bush path near the Ogun State border.
On sighting Customs operatives, the driver and a passenger fled into the bush, abandoning the vehicle.
A thorough search later revealed a deadly cache hidden beneath second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti.
The firearms included 14 JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic rifles of Italian origin and a Mossberg pump-action shotgun made in the USA.
The rifles carried distinct serial numbers confirming their foreign manufacture.
Alongside the weapons, Customs officers recovered two cartons of spaghetti, two bales of used clothing, and one sack of contraband items.
In a separate operation along the Akure–Ore axis in Ondo State, another patrol team stopped a Volkswagen Sprinter bus carrying a suspicious wooden box.
On inspection, the box was found to contain industrial drones without proper import documents.
One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure, and the drones, together with other smuggled goods, were valued at ₦377 million in duty-paid terms.
The Customs chief stressed that the seizure reflects the unwavering determination of the service under Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi to curb smuggling and protect national security.
“These efforts reflect the service’s dedication to combating smuggling and criminality at our borders while restoring law and order,” Shuaibu said.
“Let me 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.”
He added that any deviation from these regulatory requirements would be treated as a deliberate attempt to undermine national security, warning that smugglers and their financiers would face decisive action.
The Controller commended his officers for their professionalism, bravery, and tactical execution, describing the operation as a product of serious intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration.
“The unit remains resolute and vigilant in its mission to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum,” he assured.
“At a time when the nation faces complex security challenges, all stakeholders must remain aligned in collective efforts to prevent non-state actors from achieving their criminal objectives.”
He also urged citizens to play a role in security by reporting suspicious movements or activities within their communities.
In line with Nigeria’s inter-agency cooperation framework, the intercepted firearms and ammunition will be handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for further investigation and prosecution of those involved.
The move, analysts say, is a strong warning to arms traffickers and smugglers exploiting Nigeria’s porous borders.
With insecurity challenges such as banditry and terrorism persisting, the latest seizure highlights the importance of Customs intelligence operations in cutting off supply chains to criminal networks.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that Nigeria’s West African borders remain vulnerable to arms smuggling, with routes stretching from the Sahel into the Gulf of Guinea.
Many illicit weapons end up in the hands of insurgents, kidnappers, and armed gangs, fueling instability.
By intercepting nearly 5,000 rounds of live ammunition and high-capacity rifles, Customs has not only disrupted a potential supply line but also sent a clear message that arms traffickers will face increased scrutiny.
The South-West seizures mark one of the most significant arms interceptions of 2025, underscoring the NCS’s proactive stance in safeguarding Nigeria.
As the firearms and drones undergo investigation, stakeholders hope that such crackdowns will serve as a deterrent to syndicates exploiting Nigeria’s borders for illegal trade.