In a major operation across Lagos and other parts of the Southwest, the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a cache of smuggled military-grade equipment, hard drugs, and prohibited items valued at over ₦1.5 billion.
Among the seized items are ballistic helmets, bulletproof vests, large quantities of cannabis, Tramadol, used tyres, vehicles, and more than 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice—all smuggled in defiance of national security and economic laws.
The Customs Service revealed that seven suspects were apprehended in connection with the illicit trade. The operation, hailed as a success, was carried out through intelligence-sharing with other security agencies, underlining the critical role of inter-agency collaboration in securing the nation’s borders.
A spokesperson for Customs reiterated the Service's commitment to tightening border surveillance and sustaining its crackdown on economic saboteurs, warning that no effort will be spared in protecting Nigeria’s economy and internal security.
> “These are not ordinary smuggled goods; the presence of military-grade gear raises concerns over possible security threats. We will not relent,” the Customs official said.
The seizures come amid heightened concerns over the use of smuggled military hardware by criminal elements, and the continued influx of banned substances and contraband into Nigerian markets.
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