•Seized rifles by Customs
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has Intercepts and confiscated a 20-foot container concealed with parts of pump-action rifles and two 40-foot containers laden with cannabis-infused gummies and cookies worth N373.8 million concealed among imported goods at the Tincan Island Port Command.
Speaking to journalists yesterday at the TinCan Island Command while displaying the seizures, the Comptroller General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adeniyi, said as at press time, the 140 double barrel pump-action rifles have been assembled by officers of the enforcement unit.
He said on July 8, 2026, a container with No. TEMU 184536/9 arrived at Tincan Island Port aboard MV VELIKA and was flagged through the Service intelligence-driven risk management system for enhanced monitoring, reports The Guardian.
Adeniyi stated that acting on credible intelligence, officers placed the container under surveillance and subsequently subjected it to a detailed physical examination at the Customs Enforcement Station.
He said the examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles, which are currently undergoing detailed technical examination and inventory to determine the exact quantity and configuration recovered.
“We are currently undertaking detailed examination and inventory of the number to determine the exact quantity and the configuration recovered. As at the time of putting down these reports, 140 pieces of double-barrel JoJef action rifle have been discovered. The counting is still in progress, ” he said.
The CGC stated that Investigations extended beyond the seizure, noting that on July 31, 2026, one suspect was arrested at Migfo Bonded Terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container.
According to Adeniyi, documentary evidence, financial records, and telecommunications analysis established his connection with the named consignee, including a N10,000 payment received from a company account linked to the consignee on the day of his arrest.
He disclosed that two suspects are currently in custody assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively tracked by law enforcement authorities.
In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers concealing cannabis-infused products among legitimate imports, including two used vehicles, two used pumping generators, rolls of blue polypropylene spunbond fabric, new tubular batteries, and thunder arrester cables.
He said the seizures comprised: 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies containing 8,720 pieces (17.44kg) valued at N308.7million, 125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies comprising 740 packs (515.2kg) valued at N40.7 million, 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies containing 442 packs (309.4kg) valued at N24.3 million.
Adeniyi said the total estimated street value of the illicit substances seized stands at N373.8 million.
Adeniyi said these interceptions demonstrate the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks that exploit legitimate trade channels to traffic illicit weapons and dangerous narcotic products.
He said these operations underscore the Service unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders from prohibited imports that threaten national security and public health.
Adeniyi added that it also reaffirms the effectiveness of the Service’s intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling systems, and strong inter-agency collaboration.
The NCS boss warned that the Nigeria Customs Service will stop at nothing to identify, track, arrest, and prosecute every individual connected to these criminal enterprises.
According to him, Nigeria’s ports will never be safe havens for the trafficking of illicit weapons, narcotics, or other prohibited goods.
“This is a very delicate period for Nigeria. We are about entering a major election cycle and we know that at 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. While they make attempts, they will want to find accomplices within the Customs and other security agencies. I want to assure Nigerians that Nigeria Customs Service will not have any of these people who will want to serve as accomplices or use their position to influence the importation of goods that will threaten our peace and security and threaten the credibility and peaceful conduct of the next general election,” he stressed.
The Customs boss commended officers and men of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance, professionalism, and dedication, while also appreciating the support of partner security and law enforcement agencies.
He reassured Nigerians that the Service remains resolute in securing our borders, facilitating legitimate trade, and preventing the importation of prohibited and dangerous goods.
Adeniyi added that he will continue to keep the public informed as investigations progress and prosecutions commence.
“We encourage members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support our efforts against smuggling and transnational organised crime,” he concluded.
