Operatives from the Joint Border Patrol Team 2 have successfully intercepted six newly acquired automatic pump-action rifles and 1,125 live cartridges, which were cleverly concealed in sacks of garri inside an abandoned Toyota vehicle in the Okerete-Ododo area of Oyo State.
The Coordinator of the Joint Border Patrol Team 2, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DCC) Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu, shared this information during a review of the team’s five-year achievements.
He explained that the vehicle’s occupants abandoned the car and fled upon seeing the customs patrol team.
Over the past five years, the team has made significant strides in combating cross-border crime, including the arrest of 280 suspected human traffickers.
Speaking at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, DCC Shuaibu commended the team’s determination and sacrifice, which have been crucial in their success.
Since the establishment of the Joint Border Patrol Team in 2019, the sector has confiscated goods valued at a Duty Paid Value of ₦36.7 billion and intercepted 1,507 irregular immigrants.
The team’s efforts have also contributed significantly to the Federal Government’s revenue, with ₦1.140 billion deposited into the federation account from auctions of seized petroleum products.
In addition, the national security has been bolstered by the interception of illicit goods linked to security risks.
A recent seizure took place on December 3, 2024, when the patrol team stopped a suspicious Toyota Camry Saloon car along the Okerete-Ododo bush path in Oyo State.
Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered the six rifles and 1,125 rounds of live ammunition hidden inside sacks containing cassava flakes.
The rifles bore the following serial numbers: 602-H22YT-641, 602-H22YT-397, 602-H22YT-623, 22-MT-0238, P537916, and T051084.
In addition to this haul, other notable seizures between August 20, 2019, and now include: 30,964 bags of foreign 50kg rice, 7,200kg of pangolin scales, 5,575,020 litres of petrol, 11,322 cartons of foreign frozen products, 4,124 bales of used clothing, 4,057 kegs of vegetable oil, 15 pump-action rifles, 280 suspected human trafficking cases, 480 used vehicles, and 1,190 means of conveyance.
DCC Shuaibu also addressed the operational challenges faced by the team, noting that through collaboration with key stakeholders, these challenges have been overcome with innovative solutions and strong leadership.
The Joint Border Patrol Team, which operates under the guidance of the National Security Adviser, works in close coordination with various agencies including the Nigerian Armed Forces, Police, Immigration Service, DSS, National Intelligence Agency, and Nigerian Customs Service to ensure enhanced national security.
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