Ogun Customs intercepts 1,433 live cartridges and Dane guns across multiple locations, hands over arms to police as crackdown on smuggling intensifies

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command, has intercepted 1,433 rounds of live cartridges and five Dane guns at different locations across Ogun State in a renewed clampdown on smuggling and insecurity.

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Comptroller Godwin Otunla disclosed this on Wednesday during the formal handover of the seized arms and ammunition to the Nigeria Police Force in Idiroko. The action, he said, was in line with national security protocol and inter-agency cooperation.

“We are handing over these items to the Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State Command, for further investigation,” Otunla announced, affirming Customs’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding national security and stabilising the economy.

He attributed the successful seizures to intensified surveillance, strategic intelligence deployment, and deeper collaboration with other security outfits.

These strides, Otunla noted, are part of reforms inspired by the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi.

The Customs chief also highlighted the command’s revenue surge, reporting an increase from ₦10.6 million in April to ₦42.2 million in May 2025.

This is a clear testament to our zero-tolerance stance against smugglers and economic sabotage.

Further seizures made within the same period include 1,037 parcels of cannabis sativa, 13,125 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), two Dane guns, 88 additional rounds of live cartridges, 2,627 bags of foreign parboiled rice, four foreign-used vehicles, seven vehicles used to convey smuggled items, and 29 bundles of used pneumatic tyres.

Otunla valued the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these items at ₦344.8 million and emphasised the agency’s zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and economic sabotage.

He listed the locations of the interceptions to include Lusada/Ado-Odo axis, Able Kazeem/Igbo-Ora road, Abeokuta, Imeko, Idiroko/Owode, and Ipokia, among others.

The Comptroller also expressed deep concern over the rising trend in arms trafficking and cannabis smuggling, warning of their damaging effects on youth development, public health, and national stability.

In response, Mr Bukoye Oye, Police Area Commander for Idiroko, commended the Customs for its vigilance and timely intervention.

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He assured the public that the police would conduct thorough investigations and continue working closely with Customs and other agencies to bolster security.