The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted suspected explosive materials, including corrosive mercury, concealed inside five cartons of holy books.
The intercepted dangerous items of six canisters of mercury suspected to be components of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), signposts a major achievement of the Area Command in recent times.
During a media briefing on Wednesday, which covered operational activities between 13 March and 13 May 2025, the Area Comptroller, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo also disclosed that the command generated N847 million revenue in April 2025, also seized other prohibited items such as foreign coins, cannabis, second hand clothing and wrongly imported bags of staple rice.
He confirmed the arrest of one suspect linked to the illegal consignment of explosives.
According to Oramalugo, the explosives were being transported in a red Toyota Avensis with registration number GGE 66 JN.
He said that the vehicle was intercepted along the Badagry–Lagos Expressway during routine checks, late in the evening.
The Area Comptroller also said that, in addition to the suspected explosives, ‘the command also intercepted various foreign coins during the month of April, amounting to the equivalent of N8.9 million after conversion’.
He said that the discovery of the explosives took place on 28 March 2025, at approximately 8 pm, ‘marking a significant breakthrough in the Command’s efforts to curb the smuggling of dangerous materials’.
He said that investigations are currently underway to trace the source and intended destination of the explosives, while the arrested suspect remains in custody for further questioning.
