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The Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for intercepting a major consignment of firearms and cannabis-infused products at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
The organisation described the seizures as a major contribution to national security and urged Customs and other security agencies to strengthen surveillance at the nation’s ports and borders to prevent criminal networks from using legitimate trade channels to smuggle prohibited goods.
In a statement signed by its President, Ismail Aniemu and Secretary, Olamide Osho, on Monday, MARCON particularly praised the Tin Can Island Port Command for the interception of the arms shipment, which was subsequently found to contain 399 fully assembled Jojef firearms and several rifle components.
The NCS had on Thursday, August 6, 2026, announced the interception of a container aboard the vessel MV VELIKA, which arrived at the port on July 8.
According to the Service, its intelligence-driven risk management system had flagged the container for enhanced monitoring.
A detailed examination initially uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components suspected to be Jojef pump-action rifles.
However, following the coupling and further examination of the consignment on Sunday, August 9, Customs confirmed that 399 fully assembled Jojef firearms had been recovered.
The examination also uncovered 89 frames, 16 heat shields, 10 trigger pins, three pistons, 25 locking lugs, 80 charging handles, 39 pistol-grip screws, 34 springs, 57 trigger groups, 66 foregrip latches, 45 foregrips/handguards, four pistol grips and five barrels.
The NCS said two suspects had been arrested in connection with the shipment, while another principal suspect remained at large and was being actively tracked.
In a separate operation at the port, Customs officers also intercepted two 40-foot containers carrying 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.
The combined street value of the cannabis-infused products was estimated at N373.8 million.
MARCON said the seizures demonstrated the importance of intelligence gathering, cargo profiling and effective enforcement in protecting Nigeria’s maritime gateways from criminal activities.
The organisation commended Customs officers at the Tin Can Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for what it described as their vigilance and professionalism in detecting the consignments.
It urged security agencies to sustain intelligence-led operations and improve information sharing to prevent criminal groups from exploiting Nigeria’s extensive maritime and land borders.
The organisation’s call comes amid concerns over attempts by criminal networks to exploit ports, borders and airports for the movement of prohibited goods.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, had warned that criminal elements could seek to exploit Nigeria’s borders, ports and airports ahead of the next general elections to move prohibited items into the country.
Adeniyi said the Customs Service would intensify enforcement operations to frustrate such activities, while also warning against internal compromise within the Service.
He further disclosed that the seized firearms would be handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The handover, he said, would form part of ongoing inter-agency efforts to remove illicit weapons from circulation and strengthen national security.
MARCON said the interception of the firearms was particularly significant because the illegal movement of weapons through commercial shipping channels could have serious consequences for public safety and security.
It called for continuous monitoring of suspicious cargo, stronger cooperation among port operators and security agencies, and improved technology for identifying high-risk shipments.
The organisation also urged stakeholders in the maritime industry to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities that could facilitate the movement of arms, drugs and other prohibited goods.
According to MARCON, effective port security should not undermine legitimate trade but rather ensure that Nigeria’s ports remain safe, secure and efficient gateways for lawful commerce.
It said sustained collaboration between the Customs Service, other security agencies and maritime stakeholders would be critical to dismantling trafficking networks and preventing criminal elements from exploiting Nigeria’s international trade infrastructure.
The organisation stressed that the latest seizures should serve as a reminder that intelligence-led enforcement and effective border surveillance remain essential to protecting the country’s security while safeguarding legitimate maritime trade.
