The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the interception of three pump-action rifles and the arrest of three suspects in what it described as a major breakthrough in its anti-smuggling operations.
The Command disclosed this in a post on its official X handle on Monday, highlighting the seizure as one of its most significant operational successes in recent months.
According to the Command, the firearms were recovered during intelligence-driven operations that also led to the seizure of various prohibited and restricted items with a cumulative Duty Paid Value of ₦3.22 billion.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Wale Adewole, said the suspects arrested in connection with the firearms seizure are currently under investigation as efforts continue to uncover and dismantle the smuggling network behind the operation.
He stated that the Command is collaborating with the Customs Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit and the Legal Unit to ensure all individuals linked to the attempted importation of the weapons are identified and prosecuted.
Adewole noted that other intercepted items included 1,537 bags of foreign parboiled rice, used clothing, used tyres, pharmaceuticals, cannabis sativa, tramadol, premium motor spirit and vehicles allegedly used for smuggling activities.
The Command also revealed that, in a separate operation carried out in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps in Ibadan, a suspected recruitment fraudster was arrested for allegedly obtaining money from members of the public under the false promise of securing employment in the Nigeria Customs Service.
Warning Nigerians against falling victim to recruitment scams, Adewole emphasised that recruitment into the Service is conducted strictly through approved and transparent procedures and does not involve payments to individuals.
On revenue generation, the Command reported collecting ₦28.5 billion between March and May 2026, representing an eight per cent increase compared to the ₦26.23 billion generated during the corresponding period in 2025.
