The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted 3,300 cartridges allegedly smuggled into Nigeria through the land border, alongside contraband goods with a combined duty-paid value of N365.1 million.
The seizure was made during intelligence-led operations carried out by the command over the past two months, according to the Customs Area Controller, Abdullahi Kaila.
Kaila described the interception of the cartridges as a major security achievement, warning that the ammunition could pose a serious threat if diverted into the hands of criminal groups.
He said such items could potentially fuel terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.
The seized cartridges and one suspect have been handed over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force for safe custody and further investigation.
Customs seize drugs, cigarettes and vehicles
The operation also resulted in the seizure of several other prohibited and restricted items.
They included 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.
Customs officers also intercepted a used speedboat, a water bike, a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, a 2016 Toyota RAV4 and a 2010 Nissan Versa.
In another intelligence-driven operation, officers stopped a truck that had allegedly been falsely declared to contain food items.
A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, with each sack weighing 50kg.
The latest development comes less than a week after the NCS Tin-Can Island Command announced the interception of 140 rifle parts at the nation’s second-busiest seaport.
Kaila said the Seme Area Command would continue to strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering to prevent the smuggling of arms, drugs and other prohibited goods through the nation’s borders.
Customs Intercept 3,300 Cartridges, N365m Contraband in Major Seme Border Crackdown
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