Customs Intercepts Cache Of Arms At Lagos Port

Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a container laden with concealed parts of pump-action rifles at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos, alongside cannabis-infused products with a combined street value of N373.8 million, in what the Service described as a major blow to transnational smuggling networks.

Addressing journalists in Lagos on Thursday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the seizures underscored the Service’s commitment to preventing Nigeria’s seaports from being used as entry points for illegal arms and narcotics.

According to him, the arms interception followed an intelligence-led operation after Container No. TEMU 184536/9, which arrived aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, was flagged by the Service’s risk management system for detailed examination.

A physical inspection at the Customs Enforcement Station uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components believed to be JoJeff pump-action rifles.

“The recovered components are currently undergoing technical examination and inventory to determine their exact quantity and configuration,” Adeniyi said.

He disclosed that the investigation subsequently led to the arrest of a suspect on July 31, 2026, at the Migfo Bonded Terminal while allegedly attempting to facilitate the release of the container.

According to the Customs boss, documentary evidence, financial records and telecommunications analysis established links between the suspect and the named consignee, including a N10,000 payment traced to a company account associated with the consignee on the day of the arrest.

Adeniyi said two suspects are currently in Customs custody assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively tracked by security agencies.

In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers loaded with cannabis-infused products concealed among legitimate imports, including used vehicles, pumping generators, polypropylene spunbond fabric, tubular batteries and thunder arrester cables.

The seizures comprised 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies containing 8,720 pieces (17.44kg) valued at N308.7 million, 125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies comprising 740 packs (515.2kg) valued at N40.7 million, and 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies containing 442 packs (309.4kg) valued at N24.3 million.

The Service put the total estimated street value of the seized illicit substances at N373,802,640.

Adeniyi said the operations reflected the growing sophistication of international criminal syndicates exploiting legitimate trade channels to smuggle prohibited arms and narcotics into the country.

He attributed the successes to intelligence-driven enforcement, enhanced risk profiling and effective collaboration with other security agencies.

“The interceptions highlight the increasing sophistication of international criminal syndicates using legitimate trade channels to traffic prohibited weapons and narcotic substances,” he said.

He added that the successful operations reaffirmed “the effectiveness of the Service’s intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling mechanisms, and strong collaboration with sister security agencies.”

The Comptroller-General vowed that the Service would continue to identify, arrest and prosecute everyone linked to the criminal networks behind the illegal importations.

“Nigeria’s ports will never be safe havens for the trafficking of illicit weapons, narcotics, or other prohibited goods,” Adeniyi declared.

He commended officers and men of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance and professionalism, while also acknowledging the support of partner security and law enforcement agencies.

Adeniyi assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Customs Service would remain resolute in securing the nation’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the importation of prohibited items.

He also urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support the fight against smuggling and organised transnational crime, adding that investigations into the seizures are ongoing.