Operatives of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have arrested 10 suspects in connection with importation of 20 drums of carbide; a chemical substance used in manufacturing of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Acting Controller of the unit, Hussein Ejibunu, who disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, said the chemicals were hidden underneath a truck that was intercepted in Ijebu Ode area of Ogun State.

Ejibunu said upon sighting customs officers, the driver of the truck fled and never returned for two days before the officers opened the sealed truck to uncover the hidden chemical.

According to him, importation of such chemicals requires approval of Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA), where an End User Certificate (EUC) ought to have been issued.

Ejibunu said such importation raises concerns of national security and could cause danger to life and property.

He said the arrested suspects are at various stages of investigation and prosecution, adding that the unit remains resolute to make them face the full wrath of the law.

“Carbide is flammable, reactive and can cause explosion hazards when mixed with other chemicals and exposed to water or moisture. It forms flammable acetylene gas that could be used to endanger lives by lawless persons,” he said.

Ejibunu further stressed that the unit made seizures worth N579 million from smugglers and importers, who falsely declared their consignments in August 2022 from Idiroko, Oyo Axis, Seme Road, Ijebu-Ode road and the ports corridors .

The seizures include: 40ft container of flavour seasoning falsely declared as auto spare parts; 40ft container of auto interior accessories falsely declared as filters/pneumatic transmission; 40ft container of vegetable oil and foreign parboiled rice, falsely declared as used vehicles and 20ft container of 21 pallets of tiles, falsely declared as PVC floor tiles/floor bricks.

Others are: 20ft container of Padi bitters, falsely declared as olive nuts; 20ft container of unprocessed wood, falsely declared as aluminum ingots and 20ft container of bales of used clothes and shoes, with a used fake seal/Dangote truck; 5,593 (50kg) bags of foreign parboiled rice equivalent to nine trailers truck load; 56,725 litres of premium motor spirit; 375 bales of used clothes; 242 parcels of Indian Hemp and 41 pieces of military bags.

Ejibunu said these seizures, recoveries and arrests would serve as a deterrence to other smugglers and duty evaders.