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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 the seizures 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.
On examination, officers found crates hiding knocked-down components believed to be for JoJeff pump-action rifles. Adeniyi said two suspects linked to the consignment have since been arrested, while a third — described as a principal suspect — is still being pursued.
In a separate operation, Customs operatives intercepted two 40-foot containers carrying cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and pre-roll products, hidden among used vehicles, generators, batteries and other imported items. The haul 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, together valued at ₦373,802,640.
Adeniyi described both incidents as evidence of how transnational criminal syndicates continue to exploit legitimate trade routes to smuggle weapons and illegal drugs into Nigeria, adding that the successes recorded were made possible by the Service’s risk-profiling technology, intelligence gathering and cooperation with other security agencies.
The Customs boss also raised concerns about the approaching election season, warning that criminals often try to take advantage of 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.
He added that the Service would not shield any staff found compromising its operations, stressing that no officer would be allowed to aid importers seeking to bring in items capable of threatening national security or disrupting the electoral process. Adeniyi appealed to members of the public to continue supplying credible information to help combat smuggling and organised crime.
He 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 such networks while also supporting legitimate trade.
