— Arrests two suspects, hands over drugs to NDLEA, warns of security threat
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted a luxury passenger bus conveying military camouflage uniforms and illicit drugs valued at about ₦259.68 million along the Sagamu–Ore–Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The interception, carried out under a coordinated intelligence-driven operation by the Ogun I Area Command of the Service, also led to the arrest of two suspects allegedly linked to the consignment.
The bus, which reportedly bore no registration number and belonged to a transport company, was intercepted in the early hours of Sunday at about 1:30 a.m. while heading towards the eastern corridor of the country.
Addressing journalists in Idiroko on Monday, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the operation was triggered by credible intelligence that monitored the movement of the suspect vehicle from Lagos through multiple security checkpoints before it was finally intercepted.
Afeni explained that a comprehensive search of the bus revealed a large cache of prohibited items, including 197 pieces of military camouflage trousers and shorts concealed in unmarked cartons, alongside five complete sets of camouflage uniforms, 32 camouflage inner wears, 32 camouflage tops, and other related materials.
He further disclosed that operatives also uncovered 154 parcels of synthetic Cannabis Indica, popularly known as “Loud,” and seven parcels of “Colorado,” another potent strain of cannabis, all carefully hidden within the vehicle.
According to him, preliminary investigations suggested that the military uniforms were intended for distribution to unauthorised individuals, raising concerns over possible impersonation of security personnel and other criminal activities.
“The combination of illicit drugs and military uniforms in one consignment points to a coordinated attempt to undermine national security,” Afeni said.
He warned that the illegal movement of military regalia posed a serious threat, noting that criminals often exploit such materials to impersonate security agents and perpetrate crimes across the country.
The Customs boss added that the success of the operation was made possible through sustained surveillance and real-time intelligence sharing, which enabled officers to track the movement of the suspect bus across key transport corridors.
Afeni confirmed that the seized cannabis and related exhibits had been formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Idiroko Special Command for further investigation and prosecution.
Receiving the items, the NDLEA Commander, Idiroko Special Command, Mr. Williams Ekundayo, represented by Deputy Commander Ganiyu Adeyooye, commended the Customs Service for what he described as a “timely and professional interception.”
He assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and that all suspects linked to the illicit shipment would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Customs Service reiterated its commitment to intensifying anti-smuggling operations across its area of responsibility, urging members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies in the fight against cross-border crime.
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