The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials allegedly smuggled into the country through the Seme border corridor.
The seizure was made at the baggage area of the border after Customs officers discovered the explosives concealed inside a Sienna vehicle arriving from Ghana.
Customs Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed the development on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Seme Border in Badagry, Lagos State.
Kaila described the seizure as one of the most serious security threats intercepted by the command, warning that explosive materials could be exploited by criminal elements to perpetrate violent crimes.
He said the seizure was the result of sustained vigilance, professionalism and intelligence-driven operations by Customs personnel, 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,” Kaila said.
According to him, the materials could have devastating consequences if they fell into the hands of criminal elements, with the potential to facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The Customs Area Controller disclosed that the explosives and one suspect had been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.
He said the transfer became necessary given the sensitive nature of the materials and the need for specialised handling.
Kaila reaffirmed the commitment of the Seme Area Command to protecting Nigeria’s territorial borders and disrupting transnational criminal networks.
He also commended sister security and government regulatory agencies for their cooperation, intelligence sharing and continued support in strengthening national security.
