The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered concealed components of more than 140 pump-action rifles and intercepted cannabis-infused products worth ₦373.8 million in separate operations at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures on Thursday, August 6, 2026, while briefing journalists on the outcome of enforcement operations by the Tincan Island Port Command.
Adeniyi said the container containing the arms components arrived at the port aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, but was flagged for enhanced monitoring through the Service’s intelligence-driven risk management system.
According to him, a detailed examination of the container led to the discovery of concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as parts of JoJeff pump-action rifles.
The CGC said the development prompted further investigations, which resulted in the arrest of two suspects, while another principal suspect remained at large and was being actively tracked.
In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers conveying cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and pre-roll products concealed alongside used vehicles, generators, batteries and other imported goods.
The seized cannabis 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, with a combined street value of ₦373,802,640.
Adeniyi said the seizures highlighted the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks exploiting legitimate trade channels to move prohibited weapons and narcotics into Nigeria.
He attributed the successful interceptions to the NCS’s intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, advanced risk-profiling systems and collaboration with sister security agencies.
The Customs boss also warned that criminal elements could attempt to exploit Nigeria’s borders as the country approaches another major election cycle.
“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.
Adeniyi further warned against internal compromise within the Service, stressing that Customs personnel would not be allowed to facilitate the movement of goods capable of threatening national security and the peaceful conduct of elections.
“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,” he said.
He urged members of the public to provide credible intelligence to support security agencies in tackling smuggling and organised crime.
The CGC commended officers of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance and professionalism, assuring that investigations would continue to identify and prosecute all persons connected to the criminal networks behind the seizures.
