Customs bust smugglers in Ogun after intercepting a luxury bus loaded with camouflage uniforms and illicit drugs worth N259m

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a luxury passenger bus conveying military camouflage uniforms, cannabis sativa and other prohibited items allegedly smuggled into the country through Ogun State.

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The seizure was made around 1:30am on Sunday along the Sagamu–Ore–Benin Expressway while the contraband items were reportedly being transported to the eastern part of the country.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday in Idiroko, the acting Area Controller of the command, Oladapo Afeni, said the luxury bus, which had no registration number, was intercepted through intelligence-driven surveillance after allegedly evading several security checkpoints from Lagos State into Ogun State.

Afeni disclosed that the vehicle, belonging to a transport company, was also loaded with illicit drugs, including Colorado, and several uncustomed goods.

According to him, preliminary investigations suggested that the military camouflage uniforms were intended for unauthorised persons and could have been used for impersonation or criminal activities.

“A 100 per cent physical examination of the vehicle revealed 197 camouflage trousers and shorts concealed in unmarked cartons, five two-piece camouflage uniforms, and 32 mixed camouflage innerwear and tops,” Afeni said.

Other seized items included 154 parcels of synthetic cannabis indica, popularly known as Canadian Loud, seven parcels of Colorado and additional goods still undergoing investigation and system checks.

Customs bust smugglers, according to Afeni, through extensive intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance operations carried out by officers of the command.

He explained that intelligence reports had exposed how commercial transport operators were allegedly being used to move prohibited goods along federal highways under the guise of legitimate transport activities.

“Our network of informants and analysts worked tirelessly to track this specific threat using real-time intelligence,” he stated.

The customs boss estimated the street value of the seized military items and drugs at more than N259m.

He added that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the seizure and would undergo thorough investigation to uncover other members of the alleged smuggling syndicate.

Afeni described the combination of illicit drugs and military camouflage in one operation as a disturbing development capable of threatening national security.

“Unauthorised possession of military apparel is often linked to impersonation, where criminals disguise themselves as security personnel to commit atrocities or facilitate the movement of contraband,” he added.

In line with inter-agency collaboration, the command handed over the seized cannabis and the suspects to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and prosecution.

Receiving the exhibits, the NDLEA Commander of the Idiroko Special Command, Williams Ekundayo, represented by the agency’s deputy commander, Ganiyu Adeyooye, commended Customs operatives for the successful interception.

Adeyooye assured that the agency would conduct a comprehensive investigation into the case.

Afeni reiterated the command’s determination to intensify the crackdown on smuggling and cross-border crimes within its operational area.

He also appealed to residents to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities and movements linked to smuggling operations.

“The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in ensuring that such materials do not fall into the hands of non-state actors,” he said.

The command recently handed over 10,126 parcels of cannabis indica, popularly known as Ghana Loud, weighing about 4,627kg and valued at N5bn to the NDLEA in Idiroko.

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Afeni added that within five weeks of intensified anti-smuggling operations, the command also seized 1,759 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 2,685 kegs of vegetable oil and 14,550 litres of petroleum products, among other prohibited goods, with a cumulative duty paid value of N6.777bn.