The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has foiled an attempt to smuggle components of more than 140 pump-action rifles into the country, while also intercepting cannabis-infused products worth ₦373.8 million at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures on Thursday, August 6, 2026, during a briefing at the Tincan Island Port Command, saying the interceptions were the result of the Service’s intelligence-driven risk management and enforcement operations.
According to him, the container conveying the suspected rifle components arrived at the port aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, but was flagged by the Customs risk management system for enhanced scrutiny.
A detailed examination of the container subsequently uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as parts of JoJeff pump-action rifles.
Adeniyi said investigations into the consignment had led to the arrest of two suspects, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend another principal suspect who remains at large.
In a separate interception, Customs officers seized two 40-foot containers loaded with cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and pre-roll products concealed among used vehicles, generators, batteries and other imported items.
The seized narcotic products comprised 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies, 125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies and 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies, with a combined street value of ₦373,802,640.
The CGC said the seizures highlighted the increasing sophistication of transnational criminal networks that exploit legitimate trade channels to move prohibited weapons and narcotics into Nigeria.
He attributed the successful interceptions to the Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy, improved risk-profiling systems and collaboration with other security agencies.
Adeniyi also warned that criminal elements could attempt to exploit the country’s borders ahead of the next general elections to smuggle weapons and other prohibited items into Nigeria.
“We are about entering a major election cycle and we know that by this period, men of the underworld will want to use our borders, our ports, our airports to bring in items like this. We are going to redouble our efforts to ensure that we do not allow them to do so,” he said.
The Customs boss further warned that the Service would not shield personnel who compromise their duties or facilitate the movement of prohibited goods.
“The Nigeria Customs Service will not harbour any of these people who want to serve as accomplices or use their position to influence the importation of goods that will threaten our peace and security and the peaceful conduct of the next general election,” he said.
He urged members of the public to provide credible intelligence that could assist security agencies in disrupting smuggling networks and other organised criminal activities.
Adeniyi commended officers of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance and professionalism, assuring that investigations would continue with a view to identifying, arresting and prosecuting all persons linked to the criminal networks.
He reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders, preventing the movement of prohibited goods and simultaneously facilitating legitimate trade.
