FOU, Zone ‘A’ Intercepts Firearms, Ammunition, And Industrial Drones
By Asuquo Nuwak
FOU, Zone ‘A’ Intercepts Firearms, Ammunition, And Industrial Drones
In a coordinated enforcement operation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, has announced significant interceptions of firearms, ammunition, and two industrial drones as part of an ongoing offensive to dismantle smuggling networks within the southwest region of the country.
The report said on Thursday, 7th August 2025, at approximately 0213hrs, one of the 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 the officers, the driver and one passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush to evade arrest.
The report has shown that a thorough search of the intercepted vehicle revealed some items, carefully concealed within second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti.
The intercepted items include 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.
Further breakdown of the intercepted items include used Mossberg pump action shotgun (Made in USA) Serial No. P256630,
15 assorted rifles
4,841 rounds of ammunitions,
2 cartons of Danu Spaghetti (20 pieces per carton),
2 bales and 1 sack of used clothing.
In the same vein, 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.
It is reported that the arrest occurred at about 0910hrs of 9th August 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 is said to have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N377, 110,800.00.
The report said the interception of these security threatening items underscores the unwavering commitment of the Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, to disrupt the activities of non-state actors and safeguard national security.
Besides, these efforts reflect the Service’s dedication to combating smuggling and criminality at the borders, while restoring law and order.
Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu used the 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 (ONSA).
Aside from this, he said any deviation from these 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 Nigeria Customs Service.
He further announced that these kinds of seizures are not achieved without serious planning, intelligence gathering, and tactical execution.
He therefore commended the bravery, professionalism, and commitment of the officers, whose efforts made this successful interception possible.
He promised that the unit will remain resolute and vigilant in its mission to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum.
He said at a time when the nation faces complex security challenges, it is imperative that all stakeholders remain aligned in their collective efforts to prevent these non-state actors from achieving their criminal objectives.
He therefore call on all well-meaning Nigerians to report suspicious movements, or activities within their communities, saying that vigilance is critical to enabling law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties effectively.
At the end, he said 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.
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