Three Nabbed as Customs Foils Gun-Smuggling Bid, Seizes Contraband Worth N3.22bn

The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested three suspects in connection with the attempted smuggling of three pump-action rifles, while another suspect is in custody over an alleged recruitment scam and impersonation scheme targeting unsuspecting members of the public.

Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Wale Adewole, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Ibadan.

Adewole said the three suspects linked to the firearms seizure are currently undergoing investigation as the Service intensifies efforts to uncover the network behind the attempted arms smuggling operation.

According to him, the Command is collaborating with the Customs Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit and Legal Unit to identify and apprehend all those connected to the illicit shipment.

“In connection with the seizure of the three pump-action rifles, three suspects were arrested and are currently undergoing investigation,” Adewole stated.

The Customs boss also revealed the arrest of another suspect accused of impersonation and operating a fake recruitment scheme by falsely promising employment opportunities in the Nigeria Customs Service.

He said the suspect was apprehended through intelligence sharing and collaboration with the Amotekun Corps.

According to Adewole, the suspect allegedly collected money from individuals under the guise of facilitating recruitment into the Service.

“The suspect is currently in custody. It is important to note that no individual can secure employment into the Nigeria Customs Service through unofficial means,” he warned.

He urged members of the public to be wary of fraudsters who exploit job seekers through false promises of recruitment, stressing that Customs recruitment exercises are transparent, merit-based and conducted strictly through approved official channels.

Beyond the arrests, Adewole announced that the Command recorded significant enforcement successes between March and May 2026, intercepting various contraband goods with a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.22 billion.

The seized items include foreign parboiled rice, used clothing, used shoes, tyres, pharmaceutical products, cannabis sativa, tramadol, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), sugar, pasta products, used compressors and several vehicles deployed in smuggling operations.

He added that the intercepted vehicles comprised buses, trucks and saloon cars allegedly used to transport prohibited and illegally imported goods.

“The cumulative Duty Paid Value of these seizures stands at N3,221,843,672,” Adewole disclosed.

He noted that the seizures not only protected government revenue but also disrupted criminal networks involved in economic sabotage, illicit trade and trans-border crimes.

The Acting Controller further announced that the Command generated N28.5 billion in revenue during the three-month period, representing an eight per cent increase compared to the revenue collected within the corresponding period of 2025.

He attributed the improved performance to enhanced intelligence gathering, strategic enforcement operations and the commitment of officers and men of the Command.

Adewole commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for providing leadership and support that have strengthened intelligence-driven operations across Customs formations nationwide.

He also praised officers of the Oyo/Osun Area Command for their professionalism, vigilance and dedication to duty, assuring that the Service would continue to intensify efforts aimed at combating smuggling, protecting national security and safeguarding the nation's economy.

According to him, the Command remains committed to deploying intelligence-led strategies and inter-agency collaboration to tackle emerging security threats and curb the activities of criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.