The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command has intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being smuggled through the border corridor, in a major security operation aimed at preventing dangerous items from entering the country.
The Customs Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Seme Border, Badagry, Lagos State.
Kaila said the explosives were intercepted at the baggage area of the border, where Customs officers discovered them inside a Sienna vehicle that arrived from Ghana.
According to him, the seizure represented one of the most serious threats to national security among the items intercepted by the Command, warning that explosive materials could be exploited by criminal elements to facilitate violent crimes.
He said the successful interception was the result of the vigilance, professionalism and intelligence-driven operations of Customs officers, supported by collaboration with sister security agencies.
“Among the seizures displayed today is one that poses perhaps the greatest threat to national security. Our officers intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being illegally conveyed through the border corridor.
“Explosives of this nature have devastating consequences when they fall into the hands of criminal elements. They have the potential to facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes capable of threatening national peace and security,” Kaila said.
The Controller revealed that the explosive materials, together with one suspect, had already been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit because of the sensitive nature of the seizure.
He said the transfer was to ensure the safe custody of the materials and facilitate further investigation by the appropriate authorities.
Kaila described the interception as a demonstration of the Command’s commitment to protecting the country against transnational criminal networks, noting that officers and men of the Seme Area Command remained dedicated to securing the nation’s borders.
He also appreciated sister security and government regulatory agencies for their cooperation, intelligence sharing and commitment to national security.
