Comptroller MS Shuaibu right while making his speech at the ocassion while retired CP Adeolu Alamutu watches on the left.
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service with headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos this afternoon declared the seizure of several firearms, ammunition and industrial drones which would have worsened the already precarious security situation in Nigeria.
The Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu had told journalists who were at the press conference that measures are in place to reward the dedicated officers who do not compromise, but see to it that the objectives and mandates of the Service are strictly adhered to, in the course of their duty.
Comptroller Shuaibu had in his speech 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, the driver and one passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush to evade arrest”.
Officers showcasing the seized items.
“A thorough search of the intercepted vehicle revealed the following items, carefully concealed within second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti:
Intercepted Items:
• 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms (designed in Italy) with the following serial numbers:
I. 22-0743
II. 602-H22YT-556
III. 602-H22YT-700
IV. 698-H21PT-24 (Pump Action)
V. 602-H22YT-586
VI. 602-H22YT-551
VII. 602-H22YT-566
VIII. 19KS-0193
IX. 602-H22YT-415
X. 22-1809
XI. 22-1466
XII. 602-H22YT-642
XIII. 602-H22YT-583
XIV. 602-H22YT-572
• 1 used Mossberg pump action shotgun (Made in USA) Serial No. P256630
• Total: 15 assorted rifles
• 4,841 rounds of ammunition
• 2 cartons of Danu Spaghetti (20 pieces per carton)
• 2 bales and 1 sack of used clothing”
Comptre of the seized industrial drones.
He added that 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. The arrest occurred at about 0910hrs of 9th August 2025.
According to Comptroller Shuaibu, further investigation of the bus confirms the 2 seized drones to be industrial drones without proper documents and 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 can be said to underscore 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.
The seized items on display.
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 is usually treated as a deliberate attempt to undermine national security and is usually met with swift and decisive action from all relevant security agencies, including the NCS.
In line with the NCS’s commitment to fostering inter-agency collaboration, the intercepted arms and ammunition were handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The representative of the Lagos State director of the NCCSALW, Retired CP Adeolu Alamutu while officially receiving the seized items warned those engaged in the illegal importation of arms and ammunition to retrace their steps and look for legal means of earning a living for the long arms of the law are always ready and willing to catch up with them.
Comptroller Shuaibu had added while fielding questions from journalists that the fact that drivers of the means of conveyance of these illegal items always run away as soon as they sense immediate arrest has become a source of worry to them. He informed the press that they constantly shuffle their tactical approaches in order to continue to beat these smugglers at their own game.
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