Authorities seize vehicle transporting large quantity of army disguise gear, marijuana in Ogun region

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Idiroko, made a significant seizure, intercepting a luxury passenger bus carrying military camouflage uniforms and hard drugs valued at approximately N259.68 million along the Sagamu-Ore-Benin expressway.

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This interception occurred during a coordinated intelligence operation by Customs operatives in the early hours of Sunday, uncovering parcels of Cannabis Sativa, also known as Indian hemp, among other contraband items.

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Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, the Acting Customs Area Controller, addressed journalists on Monday in Idiroko, revealing that the bus, which lacked a registration number, was intercepted at 1:30 a.m. while heading towards the eastern part of the country.

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Afeni explained that the vehicle, belonging to a transport company, had evaded several security checkpoints from Lagos before being apprehended within the Ogun corridor through what he described as “precise intelligence patrol”.

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The seizure comes at a critical time when the country is facing heightened security challenges, with Afeni warning that the illegal importation and movement of military regalia pose a serious threat to national security.

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Preliminary investigations revealed that the military uniforms were intended for distribution to unauthorized persons, potentially for use in impersonation and other criminal activities, according to Afeni.

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A 100 per cent physical examination of the vehicle uncovered 197 military camouflage trousers and shorts concealed inside unmarked cartons, along with other items including five complete sets of camouflage uniforms.

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Additional items recovered from the bus included 32 pieces of camouflage inner wears, 32 camouflage tops, 154 parcels of synthetic Cannabis Indica, and seven parcels of Colorado, another synthetic strain of cannabis.

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Afeni noted that heterogeneous items were also discovered in the vehicle and are currently undergoing further investigation and system checks to determine the next line of action.

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The success of this operation was made possible through intensive surveillance and credible intelligence gathering, with Afeni stating that commercial transport vehicles were being used to move contraband along federal highways under the guise of legitimate business activities.

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Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure and will be thoroughly investigated to uncover other members of the smuggling network behind the operation, according to the Acting Controller.

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The combination of illicit drugs and military uniforms in a single operation suggests “a coordinated attempt to compromise national security”, with unauthorized possession of military apparel commonly associated with impersonation by criminals.

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In line with inter-agency collaboration, Afeni formally handed over the illicit drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and prosecution.

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Afeni reiterated the resolve of the Nigeria Customs Service to sustain its anti-smuggling operations across its Area of Responsibility, urging members of the public to support security agencies with timely information.

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The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in ensuring that prohibited materials do not fall into the hands of non-state actors, with Afeni warning smugglers and criminal elements that Customs operatives are strategically positioned and prepared to detect, intercept, and neutralise all forms of cross-border crimes.

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Responding after receiving the seized items, the NDLEA Commander, Idiroko Special Command, Mr. Williams Ekundayo, who was represented by the Deputy Commander, Ganiyu Adeyooye, commended the Customs operatives for the successful interception.

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Adeyooye assured that the agency would carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that the suspects face the full weight of the law.