The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted components suspected to be parts of more than 140 pump-action rifles and seized cannabis-infused products valued at ₦373.8 million at the Tincan Island Port Command in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures on Thursday, August 6, 2026, while briefing journalists at the port.
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According to Adeniyi, the container carrying the suspected arms components arrived at the port aboard MV VELIKA on July 8 but was subjected to enhanced scrutiny after being flagged by the Service’s intelligence-based risk management system.
He said physical examination of the container revealed concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles.
The Customs boss disclosed that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the consignment, while security operatives were intensifying efforts to apprehend another key suspect who remains at large.
In a separate interception, Customs officers seized two 40-foot containers containing cannabis-infused products concealed among used vehicles, generators, batteries and other imported items.
The seized products included 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.
Adeniyi put the combined street value of the cannabis products at ₦373,802,640.
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He said the seizures demonstrated the increasing sophistication of international criminal networks that exploit legitimate trade routes to move prohibited weapons and narcotics into Nigeria.
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According to him, the successful interceptions also showed the effectiveness of the NCS intelligence-led enforcement system, advanced risk profiling mechanisms and cooperation with other security agencies.
Adeniyi warned that criminal groups could attempt to exploit the country’s ports, airports and land borders as Nigeria approaches another major election period.
“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.
He also warned Customs personnel against colluding with smugglers, assuring Nigerians that the Service would take action against officers who 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,” Adeniyi said.
He appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and disrupting smuggling networks and other organised criminal activities.
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The Comptroller-General commended officers of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their alertness and professionalism.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Service to tracking, arresting and prosecuting individuals linked to the seizures while continuing to protect Nigeria’s borders and facilitate legitimate international trade.
