Customs officers in Ogun seized over 1,400 live cartridges and multiple guns during anti-smuggling operations.
The weapons were handed to police as part of joint efforts to secure national borders.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, has intercepted a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including 1,433 live cartridges and five Dane guns, across various parts of Ogun State.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Area Comptroller, Mr. Godwin Otunla, during the official handover of the seized weapons to the Nigeria Police Force at the command headquarters in Idiroko.
Otunla stated that the handover was in line with inter-agency collaboration protocols and national security guidelines, adding that the arms and ammunition would be transferred to the Ogun State Police Command for further investigation and necessary action.
“We are handing over the seized arms and ammunition to the Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State Command, as part of our shared responsibility in securing the nation,” he said.
He emphasized the Customs Service’s continued commitment to strengthening national security and ensuring economic stability. According to him, the command has ramped up surveillance, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency coordination, which led to the recent success.
“These achievements would not have been possible without the support and visionary leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,” Otunla noted.
Speaking on revenue performance, Otunla revealed that the command recorded a significant rise in revenue collection from ₦10.6 million in April to over ₦42.2 million in May 2025.
In addition to the seized firearms, the command also confiscated large quantities of contraband goods. These included 1,037 parcels of cannabis sativa, often referred to as Indian hemp, and 13,125 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
Other seizures comprised two Dane guns, 88 live cartridges, 2,627 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, four foreign-used vehicles, seven vehicles used for smuggling operations, and 29 bundles of used pneumatic tyres.
Otunla stated that the total duty paid value of the confiscated items was ₦344,853,244, describing it as a clear demonstration of the command’s determination to curb smuggling and economic crimes in the region.
“These seizures were made in strategic locations across the state, including Lusada/Ado-Odo, Able Kazeem/Igbo-Ora road, Abeokuta, Imeko, Idiroko/Owode, and Ipokia, among others,” he added.
Expressing concern over the rise in the trafficking of illegal arms and drugs, Otunla warned about the negative impact such activities have on youth, public health, and national security.
Responding on behalf of the Nigeria Police, the Area Commander in Idiroko, Mr. Bukoye Oye, commended the Customs officers for their vigilance and dedication.
He assured that the police would immediately commence detailed investigations into the seizures, while also promising to sustain collaboration with the NCS and other relevant agencies.
“We are committed to working hand-in-hand with the Nigeria Customs Service and other sister agencies to protect our borders and enhance internal security,” Oye said.
