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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded two major seizures at the Tincan Island Port Command, uncovering a container fitted with parts for more than 140 pump-action rifles and intercepting cannabis-infused products valued at over ₦373.8 million.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this at a briefing in Lagos on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
According to him, the arms-laden container arrived in the country aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, and was singled out for closer inspection after the Service’s intelligence-driven risk management system flagged it as suspicious.
Upon examination, officers discovered crates concealing knocked-down components believed to be parts for JoJeff pump-action rifles.
Adeniyi said two suspects linked to the consignment had been arrested, while a third, described as the principal suspect, was still being pursued.
In a separate operation, Customs operatives intercepted two 40-foot containers carrying cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and pre-roll products concealed among used vehicles, generators, batteries and other imported items.
The seized items 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 value of ₦373,802,640.
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Adeniyi described the two incidents as evidence of the continued efforts by transnational criminal syndicates to exploit legitimate trade routes to smuggle weapons and illegal drugs into Nigeria.
He attributed the seizures to the Service’s risk-profiling technology, intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies.
The Customs boss also expressed concern over the approaching election season, warning that criminals often attempt to exploit such periods to move dangerous items through the nation’s borders, ports and airports.
“We are going to redouble our efforts to ensure that we do not allow them to do so,” he said.
Adeniyi added that the Service would not shield any staff found compromising its operations, stressing that no officer would be allowed to assist importers in bringing into the country items capable of threatening national security or disrupting the electoral process.
He appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible information to help combat smuggling and organised crime.
The Customs boss commended personnel of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their alertness, and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to tracking down and prosecuting those behind the smuggling networks while supporting legitimate trade.
