Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, have intercepted a luxury passenger bus conveying military camouflage uniforms and suspected illicit drugs along the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway.
The seizure, described by the Customs as a major breakthrough against smuggling activities, occurred in the early hours of Sunday during a routine intelligence-driven patrol operation.
Speaking during the handover of the seized items to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at Idiroko on Monday, the Acting Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the bus was intercepted without a registration number after evading several security checkpoints.
According to Afeni, preliminary investigations revealed that the military regalia may have been intended for unauthorised persons for possible impersonation and criminal activities.
A physical examination of the vehicle reportedly uncovered 197 camouflage trousers and shorts concealed in cartons, five complete camouflage outfits, 32 camouflage inner wears, and several camouflage tops.
The Customs boss also disclosed that officers recovered 154 parcels of suspected Cannabis Indica, popularly referred to as Canadian Loud, alongside seven parcels of Colorado and other prohibited goods still under investigation.
Afeni said intelligence reports indicated that commercial transport vehicles were increasingly being used to move contraband across federal highways under the guise of legitimate transportation.
He estimated the street value of the seized drugs and military uniforms at over N259 million.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure and are expected to face further investigation to uncover other members of the alleged smuggling network.
The Customs Area Controller noted that the combination of illicit drugs and military regalia in one operation raised concerns about threats to national security.
He added that criminals often use military uniforms to impersonate security personnel and facilitate illegal activities.
The suspects and seized items were later handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
