Customs Seizes Arms and Expired Pharmaceuticals Worth ₦10 Billion

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception of contraband goods, including a large cache of arms and expired pharmaceutical products, valued at over ₦10 billion. The operation, which officials described as a significant breakthrough in curbing smuggling and safeguarding public health, was carried out following targeted intelligence and coordinated surveillance by customs officers.

The Comptroller-General of Customs revealed that the seizures were made at multiple entry points across the country, with a major bust occurring at a border checkpoint where officers discovered concealed firearms alongside ammunition hidden in containers declared as carrying harmless merchandise. The firearms were reportedly smuggled in an attempt to bypass security checks, raising serious concerns over the proliferation of illegal arms and the risks to national security.

Alongside the weapons, customs operatives also uncovered large consignments of expired drugs in several storage facilities. The drugs, officials said, had been smuggled into the country through unapproved routes, packaged to appear legitimate, and were intended for distribution to unsuspecting consumers. The NCS stated that such products pose severe health hazards and violate both local and international pharmaceutical regulations.

According to the customs chief, the successful interception was made possible through a combination of intelligence-sharing with other security agencies, rigorous cargo profiling, and the deployment of advanced scanning technology at strategic points. He noted that the service had been intensifying its enforcement operations in response to rising concerns over smuggling activities that threaten public safety, economic stability, and national security.

Security experts have lauded the operation, warning that the intercepted firearms could have ended up in the hands of criminal groups, further fuelling violent crimes, banditry, and terrorism. They stressed that curbing arms smuggling is crucial for reducing insecurity and restoring confidence in the country’s law enforcement capabilities.

The Comptroller-General further disclosed that several suspects connected to the seizures are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation. He assured that all individuals found culpable would face prosecution in accordance with Nigerian laws, adding that the service would continue to work with local and international partners to dismantle smuggling networks.

He also issued a stern warning to smugglers, noting that the NCS would not relent in its efforts to protect Nigeria’s borders from illegal trade. “Our message is clear: those engaging in smuggling, especially in arms and other dangerous items, will be tracked, apprehended, and prosecuted. The safety of our people is non-negotiable,” he said.

In addition to the enforcement aspect, the customs boss called for greater public collaboration, urging citizens to provide credible information that could lead to further seizures and arrests. He emphasised that public vigilance, combined with robust enforcement, remains critical in the fight against smuggling.

The interception comes amid a broader push by Nigerian authorities to strengthen border security and modernise customs operations. Recently, the government approved the deployment of additional surveillance equipment, improved scanning systems, and enhanced training for customs officers to improve their ability to detect and intercept contraband goods.

Economists have also weighed in on the financial implications, noting that the seizure of ₦10 billion worth of illegal goods underscores the scale of revenue losses caused by smuggling. They argued that beyond the security and health risks, smuggling undermines legitimate trade, erodes government tax revenues, and creates unfair competition for compliant businesses.

The NCS has pledged to auction or destroy the seized goods in line with legal provisions, particularly the expired drugs, which will be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner to prevent them from re-entering the market. The arms, meanwhile, will be handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation and secure storage.

With the success of this latest operation, customs officials say they are more determined than ever to intensify surveillance and maintain pressure on smuggling syndicates. They reiterated that the protection of Nigeria’s borders is not just an institutional mandate but a national responsibility that requires collective effort from government agencies, the private sector, and the citizenry.

This high-profile seizure is expected to boost confidence in the NCS’s capacity to tackle organised smuggling rings and prevent dangerous goods from threatening lives and livelihoods across the country.