Operatives of the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted 940 smuggled rounds of live ammunition concealed in sacks of cassava flakes, commonly known as garri.

The ammunition was seized along the Benin-Idiroko border on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

The Controller of the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ahmadu Shuaibu, who revealed this at a briefing in the Idiroko office of the command, explained that the anti-smuggling operation along the border had been tracking the ammunition for over two weeks from the Republic of Benin before it was smuggled into Nigeria.

Shuaibu noted that despite the rigorous surveillance and security measures employed by the smugglers to evade arrest, the superior security network of the Command facilitated the seizure of the items, saying that the suspected smugglers of the ammunition managed to escape, abandoning the seized items.

He highlighted other significant achievements of the command, including the interception of 123 sacks and 3,172 parcels of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp), 380 pieces of donkey skin, 304 bales of used clothes, and 910 cartons of frozen poultry products.

“These items were seized at various locations across Ogun State through the Command’s intelligence network and 24-hour patrol/anti-smuggling activities.”

He stressed that the items pose great threats to our national security and have the potential to destroy lives and properties within the shortest time possible.

“The duty-paid value of the seized items amounts to over N557 million.”

“In terms of revenue generation, the command reported that it had generated a total sum of N24,283,788 from January to date.

“This revenue was primarily sourced from baggage assessment and auction sales of petroleum products.”

He said, “We are pleased to state that, in recent times, we have carried out our operations with zero casualties, and that is a great achievement in view of the circumstances. We value the lives of our people, and we try our best to safeguard them. I will like to state emphatically that our operatives bear arms to protect their lives where and when necessary, and any threat to their lives will not be treated with levity.”

While warning the recalcitrant smugglers that their days are numbered, he noted that they will never go unpunished for their nefarious activities.

“We shall keep uncovering their antics, and very soon, they will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.”

The CAC appealed to well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians to join forces with the Command in its fight against the smuggling of harmful substances, light weapons, arms, and ammunition, emphasizing that the Command is open to receiving intel and assuring prospective partners of maximum security.