Customs intercept firearms, 4,841 ammunition in South-West — Report

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, has announced that it intercepted a total of 15 assorted ruffles, 4,841 rounds of ammunition, and other contraband within the Southwestern region of the country in August.

This is even as the unit said that the move was part of an ongoing offensive exercise to dismantle smuggling networks within the region. The Customs Area Controller in charge of the unit, Mohammed Shuaibu, stated this while addressing journalists at the command in Ikeja on Tuesday.

Shuaibu explained that the unit acting on credible intelligence intercepted a Nissan Almera vehicle suspected of carrying prohibited items through the Ilara bush paths near the border in Ogun State. He stressed that upon sighting officers of the command, the driver and one passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush to evade arrest.

According to him, a thorough search of the intercepted vehicle revealed that the contrabands were carefully concealed within second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti.

Giving details of the seized arms, he said, that the unit 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms (designed in Italy) with the following serial numbers, “22-0743, 602-H22YT-556, 602-H22YT-700, 698-H21PT-24 (Pump Action), 602-H22YT-586, 602-H22YT-551, 602-H22YT-566, 19KS-0193, 602-H22YT-415, 22-1809, 22-1466, 602-H22YT-642, 602-H22YT-583, 602-H22YT-572, one used Mossberg pump action shotgun made in the USA with serial No. P256630. Making it a total of 15 assorted rifles, 4,841 rounds of ammunition, two cartons of Danu Spaghetti, two bales and one sack of used clothing that were intercepted.”

He added that another patrol team made a separate interception of a Volkswagen Sprinter bus suspected to be conveying “Drones in a wooden box along the Akure- Ore axis in Ondo state, while on a routine patrol.”

The CAC emphasised that further investigation of the bus confirms the drones to be industrial drones without proper documents. He mentioned that one suspect was arrested in connection with the seizures. “The drones, second-hand clothing, and cartons of spaghetti have a duty paid value of N377m,” he added.

Shuaibu highlighted that the interception of the security items underscores the unwavering commitment of the service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, 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. Let me take this opportunity to 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.

“Any deviation from these regulatory requirements would 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,” Shuaibu stressed.

He said that seizures like these are not achieved without serious planning, intelligence gathering, and tactical execution. Shuaibu commended officers of the unit for their bravery, professionalism, and commitment, adding that their efforts made the interception possible.

“The unit remains resolute and vigilant in its mission to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum,” he said. He reiterated that at a time when the nation faces complex security challenges, all stakeholders must remain aligned in the collective efforts to prevent these non-state actors from achieving their criminal objectives.

“I call on 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,” he stated.

He maintained that 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 for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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