The Acting Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Wale Adewole, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Command headquarters in Ibadan, noting that investigations were ongoing in collaboration with relevant Customs units.
The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested three suspects over the attempted smuggling of three pump-action rifles, while another suspect was detained for alleged recruitment fraud and impersonation.
The Acting Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Wale Adewole, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Command headquarters in Ibadan, noting that investigations were ongoing in collaboration with relevant Customs units.
He said the suspects linked to the firearms case were being interrogated, adding that the Command was working with the Customs Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit and Legal Unit to uncover those behind the attempted smuggling.
“In connection with the seizure of the three pump-action rifles, three suspects were arrested and are currently undergoing investigation,” he said.
Adewole also disclosed that another suspect was arrested following intelligence sharing with the Amotekun Corps over alleged impersonation and a fake recruitment scheme targeting members of the public.
According to him, the suspect posed as a facilitator of recruitment into the Nigeria Customs Service and demanded money from unsuspecting applicants.
“The suspect is currently in custody. It is important to note that no individual can secure employment into the Nigeria Customs Service through unofficial means,” he warned.
He urged members of the public to disregard fraudsters promising jobs in the Service, stressing that recruitment is transparent, merit-based, and strictly conducted through official channels.
Adewole further revealed that the Command intercepted contraband goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.22 billion between March and May 2026.
He said the seized items included foreign parboiled rice, used clothing, shoes, tyres, pharmaceuticals, cannabis sativa, tramadol, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and vehicles used in smuggling operations.
Other items intercepted included compressors, sugar, pasta products, illicit drugs, and several vehicles such as buses, saloon cars, and trucks.
He added that the Command also generated N28.5 billion in revenue within the same period, representing an 8 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
According to him, the cumulative value of the seizures stood at N3,221,843,672, noting that the operations had helped disrupt criminal networks and protect the economy.
Adewole commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his leadership, and praised officers of the Command for their professionalism, assuring that efforts to curb smuggling and strengthen national security would be sustained.
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