The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a luxury commercial bus loaded with military camouflage uniforms and suspected cannabis indica valued at over ₦259 million.
The seizure was made during an intelligence-led operation along the Sagamu Ore Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
Speaking during the presentation of the seized items, the Acting Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said customs operatives intercepted the unregistered bus at about 1:30 a.m. while it was reportedly transporting the contraband items toward the eastern part of the country.
According to him, the vehicle had allegedly evaded several security checkpoints before it was eventually stopped by officers of the command.
A detailed search conducted on the bus reportedly uncovered 197 pieces of military camouflage trousers and shorts, 32 camouflage tops, five complete military camouflage uniforms, camouflage inner wears, and several parcels of suspected hard drugs hidden inside cartons.
Customs officials also recovered 154 parcels of synthetic cannabis popularly known as Canadian Loud and seven parcels of Colorado, another strong strain of cannabis.
Comptroller Afeni explained that smugglers now use commercial vehicles to secretly move prohibited goods across major highways in the country in an attempt to avoid suspicion from security agencies.
He warned that the illegal possession and movement of military uniforms pose a serious threat to national security, noting that criminals often use such outfits to impersonate security personnel while carrying out illegal activities.
The interception of military regalia and illicit drugs in a single operation is a major security concern. These items could have been used for criminal purposes capable of threatening public safety, he said.
The customs boss added that the successful operation was made possible through coordinated intelligence gathering and round-the-clock surveillance by officers of the command.
Two suspects were reportedly arrested in connection with the seizure.
The suspects, alongside the intercepted drugs, have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and prosecution.
