Customs Intercepts N1.2bn Bulletproof Vests, ‘Tokunbo’ Vehicles, Others

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Tuesday, announced the seizures of bulletproof vests smuggled into the country from a neighbouring country.

NCS also intercepted 11 used vehicles, popularly known as Tokunbo; 1,665kg of Cannabis Sativa, and 4,000 litres of premium motor spirit, also known as petrol, amongst others in Ogun, Lagos and other states in the South-West region of the country with values estimated at N1.2billion.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, the Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Compt. Mohammed Shuaibu said, “On the 23rd and 24th of May 2025, at about 0300hrs and 0230hrs, our patrol teams within Lagos metropolis acted on intelligence intercepted and seized 2X40FT containers with containers numbers (MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090) respectively along Ijora-Olopa and mile 2 axis.

“The examination reports of these containers revealed the following contents – seven Mitsubishi Canters, five Toyota Hiace Buses, and three Mini Shuttle Buses all cut up with their parts complete with a clear intention of evading Customs duties.

“Other items include used bicycles, 312 bales of printed wax, 23 bales of used clothing, 42 used gas cylinders, 30 used flat-screen televisions, 65 tabletop cookers, and 31 units of used split air conditioning, among others. The importation of these items contravenes schedule 4 of the common external tariff.”

Similarly, Compt. Shuaibu said another patrol team intercepted a Volvo truck on 19th of May, 2025, at about 3am, saying investigation revealed that the vehicle contained 1,263 pieces of used tyres and other goods with one suspect arrested.

“In the same vein, on the 19th of May 2025 at about 2300hrs, our officers on a routine patrol along Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode expressway in Ogun State, intercepted one truck with registration number T24623LA suspected to be conveying un-customs goods including bulletproof vests. Again, an investigation report revealed the content to include some packages of Tramadol.

“Furthermore, on the 26th of May 2025, at about 0600hrs, through intelligence-driven operations, our men on the Ijebu-Ode patrol team arrested one empty Mercedes Benz truck. Thorough rummaging of the truck and careful observation by our officers led to the uncovering of the concealment of Cannabis Sativa (India Hemp) in the compartments of the truck. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure,” he said.

Additionally, Shuaibu revealed the NSC patrol teams around the borders areas across the six states of the South-West have intensified surveillance of borders against unscrupulous elements among Nigerians.

He said this resulted in seizures of rice, cannabis sativa, used cars and other goods in flash points of Imeko, Ilaro, Owode, Idiroko, Ilara, Ihumbo, Abeokuta, Badagry, Agbara, Gbaji, Saki and Iseyin.

The Customs boss also disclosed that the unit intercepted 2,051 pieces of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country.

“In all, 46 interceptions were recorded during this two weeks of operations comprising 2,051 pieces of smuggled foreign parboiled rice equivalent to four trucks loads; 11 used vehicles, popularly known as Tokunbo vehicles; 1665kg of cannabis sativa; 4000 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS); one white and Black J5 commercial bus loaded with expired goods; and one Volvo truck containing 180 sacks of new towel,” he said.

Shuaibu stressed that seven suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which have a duty paid value (DPV) of N1.28billion.

He added that the seizures come on the heels of successes recorded in our anti-smuggling activities just three weeks after he resumed the leadership of the unit on the 23rd of April, 2025, which saw seizures of over seven trucks loads of foreign parboiled rice, PMS, vehicles, drugs and narcotics among others.

“The service as a lead agency in border security and facilitators of trade is not unaware of the need to balance both responsibilities through risk management tools at our disposal. We are also aware that those whose illicit businesses have been significantly hindered by our operations will spare no efforts in devising different methods to counter us.

“We would like to assure the public that we will continue to remain alive to our responsibilities and will not be deterred by naysayers or anyone intent to casting aspirations on our officers who have always paid the ultimate price for the service to their country,” Shuaibu assured.

He vowed that as criminals get more desperate and daring, the officers at the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ will ensure the sustainability of a more formidable defence against any antics devised by these non-state actors.

He assured the the Service will continue to design and implement sustainable programmes that will grow the economy, increase revenue for the government, and encourage legitimate trade.

Shuaibu said the seized 1665kg of Indian hemp will be handed over to the relevant agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

As the unit continued to hardness all revenue components to recover loss revenue from the evaders, Shuaibu revealed that a total of N48.34 million was recovered through the issuance of demand notices (DN) from the improper declaration of consignments within the two weeks.