The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A Ikeja, has announced the interception of 150 cartons of bulletproof jackets valued at N1.687 billion. The contraband was seized along the Ijebuode-Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State, according to Customs Area Controller Kola Oladeji, who addressed journalists in Ikeja on Thursday.

Oladeji detailed that each carton contained 10 packs of bulletproof jackets, which were seized in June. He emphasized that the importation of military wares by individuals is strictly prohibited under Schedule 4 of the Customs Common External Tariff, requiring an end-user certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The Customs Area Controller highlighted the unit’s commitment to apprehending the importers behind these illicit shipments, citing ongoing efforts based on credible intelligence.

In addition to the bulletproof jackets, Oladeji revealed that the unit also intercepted kilograms of cannabis sativa and 5,229 cartons of expired drugs during the same period. These seizures were part of broader operations across the South-Western states, which also netted 343,750 liters of premium motor spirit, 7,150 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 32 units of used vehicles, 120 bags of sugar, and 3,560 cartons of poultry products.

The operations led to the arrest of four suspects involved in various offenses related to violating import/export guidelines, concealment, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives.

Oladeji further noted that the cumulative duty paid value of the intercepted goods amounted to N3.6 billion. Additionally, the unit recovered N62 million as revenue for June 2024 through documentary checks and issuance of demand notices on consignments found to have paid less than the appropriate duties.

He urged Nigerians to provide timely and useful information to aid in combating illegal importation activities involving military wares, illicit drugs, and counterfeit goods. Importers and licensed agents were also encouraged to comply with existing import and export guidelines to avoid penalties and loss of goods.

The Customs Area Controller reiterated the unit’s commitment to enforcing regulations and safeguarding national security through stringent border control measures.