The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, has smashed a transborder smuggling ring that specialized in smuggling firearms, ammunition, and industrial drones into the country.

The gang, which smuggles industrial drones, arms and ammunition using wooden box and Danu Spaghetti as decoys was ambushed by Customs officials in Ogun and Ondo States.

Addressing reporters in Lagos on Tuesday, the Controller of the Unit, Mohammed Shuaibu disclosed that two industrial drones, arms and ammunition were intercepted by officers and men of the Unit along the bush paths near the border in Ogun State and Akure- Ore axis in Ondo state.

According to him, “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.”

After a thorough search of the intercepted vehicle, he said, “revealed the following items, carefully concealed within second-hand clothing and cartons of spaghetti: 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 and 602-H22YT-572.

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

A total: 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.

Another patrol team, he said, “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.”

Further investigation of the bus, Shuaibu said, “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.”

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

The Controller reiterated that the importation of arms, ammunition, or drones of this nature required valid approval, permits, and an End User Certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Any deviation from these regulatory requirements, he said, 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.

He promised, “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.” (The Nation)