Customs FOU ‘A’ Intercepts 15 Assorted Riffles, 4,841 Ammunitions, Industrial Drones
Customs FOU Zone A Controller, Compt Mohammed Shuaibu (middle) displaying seized riffles at the Ikeja office of the unit on Tuesday
By DAPO OLAWUNI
In a coordinated enforcement operation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone A (FOU A), has announced significant interceptions of firearms, ammunition, and two (2) industrial drones as part of an ongoing offensive to dismantle smuggling networks within the Southwest region of the country.
Briefing journalists at the unit in Ikeja Lagos on Tuesday, the Controller in charge of the unit, Compt Mohammed Shuaibu said that on Thursday, 7th August 2025, at approximately 0213hrs, one of our 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 our officers, he said the driver and one passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush to evade arrest.
A thorough search of the intercepted vehicle revealed 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms which is designed in Italy, 1 used Mossberg pump action shotgun Made in USA
Other items discovered included; 4,841 rounds of ammunition, 2 cartons of Danu Spaghetti, 2 bales and 1 sack of used clothing.
According to Compt Shuaibu, 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. He said 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 have a duty paid value (DPV) of N377, 110,800.00. Only.
“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, 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 (ONSA). 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 NCS.
“These kinds of seizures are not achieved without serious planning, intelligence gathering, and tactical execution. I therefore commend the bravery, professionalism, and commitment of our officers, whose efforts made this successful interception possible. The unit remains resolute and vigilant in its mission to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum.
“At a time when our nation faces complex security challenges, it is imperative that all stakeholders remain aligned in our collective efforts to prevent these non-state actors from achieving their criminal objectives. I, therefore, 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.
“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” he concluded.
