Customs Seizes Bus in Ogun Carrying Military Camouflage and Cannabis

By James Ogunnaike

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Idiroko seized a luxury passenger bus carrying military camouflage uniforms and hard drugs worth approximately N259.68 million along the Sagamu‑Ore‑Benin expressway.

The contraband, which included parcels of Cannabis Sativa (commonly called Indian hemp), was intercepted in the early hours of Sunday during a coordinated intelligence operation by Customs officers.

Speaking to journalists on Monday in Idiroko, Acting Customs Area Controller Comptroller Oladapo Afeni said the unregistered bus was stopped at about 1:30 a.m. while heading toward the eastern part of the country.

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

He noted that the seizure came at a critical time as the country faces heightened security challenges, warning that the illegal importation and movement of military regalia poses a serious threat to national security.

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

The Customs officer added that a complete physical inspection of the vehicle uncovered 197 military camouflage trousers and shorts hidden inside unmarked cartons.

Other items recovered included five complete sets of camouflage uniforms, 32 pieces of camouflage innerwear, 32 camouflage tops, 154 parcels of synthetic Cannabis Indica (also known as Canadian Loud), and seven parcels of Colorado, another synthetic strain of cannabis.

Afeni said additional heterogeneous items were also found in the vehicle and are currently undergoing further investigation and system checks to determine the next steps.

“The success of this operation was made possible through intensive surveillance and credible intelligence gathering,” he said. “Our intelligence revealed that commercial transport vehicles were being used to move contraband along federal highways under the guise of legitimate business activities. Our officers and intelligence team worked tirelessly, using real‑time information to track and intercept this particular shipment.”

The Acting Controller disclosed that 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.

He stressed that the combination of illicit drugs and military uniforms in a single operation suggested “a coordinated attempt to compromise national security.”

According to him, unauthorized possession of military apparel is commonly associated with impersonation by criminals who disguise themselves as security personnel to perpetrate crimes or aid illegal activities.

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.

He reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service’s resolve to sustain its anti‑smuggling operations across its Area of Responsibility, urging the public to support security agencies with timely information.

The Nigeria Customs Service remains determined to prevent prohibited materials from falling into the hands of non‑state actors,” Afeni said. “We are sending a strong warning to smugglers and criminal elements that our operatives remain strategically positioned and fully prepared to detect, intercept and neutralise all forms of cross‑border crimes.”

Responding after receiving the seized items, the NDLEA Commander, Idiroko Special Command, Mr. Williams Ekundayo, represented by Deputy Commander Ganiyu Adeyooye, commended the Customs operatives for the successful interception and assured that the agency would conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the suspects face the full weight of the law.

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