The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that officers from the Seme Area Command at the Nigeria-Benin border have seized a shipment of suspected explosive materials, including corrosive mercury, concealed within five cartons of the Quran.
Customs Area Controller Dr. Ben Oramalugo disclosed the operation during a press briefing at the Seme Command headquarters on Wednesday, confirming that a suspect linked to the illicit cargo had been arrested.
Oramalugo explained that the materials were discovered in a red Toyota Avensis with the registration number GGE 66 JN, intercepted during routine checks along the Badagry–Lagos Expressway.
He further revealed that in addition to the explosives, the command also confiscated foreign currencies worth N8.9 million (after conversion) during April. He described the seizure, which occurred on the night of March 28, 2025, around 8:00 p.m., as a major success in their ongoing efforts to combat the smuggling of hazardous and prohibited items.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the origin and intended destination of the intercepted explosives. The arrested suspect is in custody for questioning.
The discovery has raised significant concerns about the extreme measures smugglers are willing to adopt to avoid detection, suggesting the possibility of a larger criminal network.
The Customs Service has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help combat the smuggling of dangerous goods across Nigeria’s borders.