Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, have intercepted a luxury passenger bus loaded with military camouflage uniforms and illicit drugs with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of approximately ₦259.68 million along the Sagamu–Ore–Benin Expressway.
The intelligence-led operation, which culminated in the arrest of two suspects, was carried out in the early hours of Sunday when customs operatives intercepted the unregistered bus travelling towards Nigeria’s eastern corridor.
Speaking with journalists in Idiroko on Monday, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed that the seizure followed credible intelligence and sustained surveillance that tracked the movement of the vehicle from Lagos through several security checkpoints before it was eventually apprehended at about 1:30 a.m.
According to Afeni, a thorough search of the vehicle uncovered 197 pieces of military camouflage trousers and shorts concealed in cartons, five complete sets of military camouflage uniforms, 32 camouflage tops, 32 camouflage inner wears, and other related military apparel.
The customs operatives also recovered 154 parcels of synthetic Cannabis Indica, popularly known as “Loud,” as well as seven parcels of “Colorado,” another potent cannabis variant, carefully concealed within the bus.
Afeni noted that preliminary investigations indicated that the military regalia were intended for distribution to unauthorised persons, a development he described as a serious threat to national security.
He warned that the unlawful circulation of military uniforms could aid criminal elements in impersonating security personnel and carrying out illegal activities.
“The combination of illicit drugs and military uniforms in a single consignment suggests a coordinated effort capable of undermining national security,” he said.
The Acting Controller attributed the successful operation to effective intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and real-time monitoring of suspicious movements along strategic transport corridors.
He further disclosed that the seized narcotics and related exhibits had been formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and prosecution.
Receiving the exhibits on behalf of the agency, Deputy Commander Ganiyu Adeyooye, who represented the NDLEA Commander, Mr. Williams Ekundayo, commended the Customs Service for the successful interception.
He assured that the agency would carry out a comprehensive investigation and ensure that all individuals connected to the illegal consignment were brought to justice.
The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its determination to sustain anti-smuggling operations and called on members of the public to support security agencies with credible information to combat cross-border crimes and other threats to national security.
