By Ifeoma Ikem
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu says the discovery of drones alongside firearms in the country is a shift in the tactics of smugglers and the sophistication of criminal networks.
Shuaibu while addressing newsmen at the federal operation unit, zone A Ikeja disclosed that a deadly consignment of arms, ammunition, and industrial drones were seized along Ogun State border.
He noted that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items was put at over ₦377 million, a figure that underscores both the scale of the smuggling attempt and the potential damage it could have inflicted on the national security.
He said that the team which acted on credible intelligence intercepted a Nissan Almera vehicle suspected to be conveying prohibited items via the Ilara bush paths near the border of Ogun State.
Shuaibu described the seizure as one of the most significant in recent months. He said the arms were destined for non-state actors who thrive on chaos. By intercepting them, we have prevented untold bloodshed,” he added.
“The items discovered inside the Nissan Almera vehicle were 15 assorted rifles, including 14 JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms from Italy and a Mossberg pump-action shotgun from the United States.
“4,841 rounds of live ammunition were discovered, cleverly concealed under bales of used clothing and cartons of spaghetti. What looked like an innocent load of food and second-hand wares turned out to be a dangerous cargo’’.
“But the story didn’t end in Ogun, in another development, a Volkswagen Sprinter bus was stopped by another patrol team along the Akure-Ore axis in Ondo State. Inside, officers uncovered two industrial drones packed in a wooden box.
He said the drones, investigators later confirmed, were imported without proper documentation and permits.
He suspected that the drones could have been deployed for surveillance or modified for combat by criminal groups. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.
The Comptroller warned that arms and drones of such nature can only be imported with clearance and an End User Certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Any attempt to bypass this, he stressed, would be treated as a threat to national security.
The seized arms have since been handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for further investigation, tracing, and prosecution.
He noted that the seizures raised a glimmer of hope for border communities, adding that residents who have lived under the constant fear of banditry and cross-border crime are reassured that government agencies are closing in on criminal supply chains.
“The breakthrough will disrupt the logistics of armed groups who rely heavily on smuggled weapons and drones to sustain their operations. Cutting off their supply line is as important as any military offensive’’.
Shuaibu praised his officers for their bravery, noting that such operations require both courage and precision. “Our men risk their lives daily to protect this country. They deserve recognition for their sacrifices.
“ The interception was made possible through intelligence-driven operations and the resilience of Customs patrol teams operating along difficult border terrains.
“The seizures send shockwaves through smuggling networks, one message rings clear: the Nigeria Customs Service remains on high alert, determined to defend Nigeria’s borders against weapons, contraband, and anything that threatens national security’’.
