The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Lagos has smashed a transborder ring that specialised in smuggling firearms, ammunition, and industrial drones. The confiscated items have a duty paid value (DPV) of N377, 110,800.

The gang, which uses wooden boxes and Danu Spaghetti as decoys, was ambushed by Customs officials in Ogun and Ondo states.

Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, the Controller of the Unit, Mohammed Shuaibu, said the items were intercepted by officers and men of the Unit along the bush paths near the border in Ogun and Akure-Ore axis in Ondo.

According to him, on August 7, this year, a patrol team, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a Nissan Almera vehicle suspected to be 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.

Concealed in the vehicle, he said, were second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti: 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms (designed in Italy).

Officers of the Unit also intercepted one used Mossberg pump action shotgun (Made-in- USA) Serial No. P256630.

In all, 15 assorted rifles, 4,841 rounds of ammunition, two cartons of Danu Spaghetti (20 pieces per carton), two bales and one sack of used clothing that were used as decoys.

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Another patrol team, he said, intercepted a Volkswagen sprinter bus with drones in a wooden box on the Akure-Ore axis in Ondo State on August 9.

Shuaibu said the industrial drones had no proper documents. One suspect was arrested.

The interception of these security threatening items, Shuaibu added, “underscores the 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”.

He added: “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 stakeholders remain aligned in our collective efforts to prevent these non-state actors from achieving their criminal objectives. I, therefore, call on 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.

“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.”