The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 20-foot container conveying concealed parts of pump-action rifles and two 40-foot containers laden with cannabis-infused products hidden among imported goods at the Tin Can Island Port.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who paraded the seizures before journalists at the port on Thursday, disclosed that 140 double-barrel pump-action rifles had been reassembled from the container as of press time. He added that investigations into both seizures had led to the arrest of two suspects.
He added that the principal importer of the firearms remains at large, saying that the 20-foot container, with number TEMU-184536/9, arrived at Tin Can Island Port on July 8, 2026, aboard the vessel MV Velika and was flagged by the Service’s intelligence-driven risk management system for enhanced monitoring.
“Acting on credible intelligence, officers of this command placed the container under surveillance and subjected it to a detailed physical examination at the Customs Enforcement Station. The examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components primarily identified as Jojef pump-action rifles. The total number has not yet been determined.
“We are currently undertaking detailed examination and inventory of the number to determine the exact quantity and the configuration recovered. As at the time of putting down these reports, 140 pieces of double-barrel JoJef action rifles have been discovered. The counting is still in progress,” he said.
He said the operations underscore the Service’s unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders from prohibited imports that pose grave threats to national security and public health.
According to him, investigations led to the arrest of a key suspect on July 21, 2026, at a bonded terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container.
He said documentary evidence, financial records and telecommunication analysis established links between the suspect and the consignee named on the shipping documents.
He said:
“One of the exhibits that we have includes a payment of N10,000 received from a company account that is directly linked to the consignee of this particular item.
“Two suspects are now in custody and they are assisting investigators while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively pursued,” he said.
Speaking on the narcotics seizure, he said Customs officers also intercepted two 40-foot containers loaded with cannabis-infused products, including cookies carefully concealed alongside two used imported vehicles, two used pumping generators and other imported goods in an attempt to evade detection.
He noted that the seizures demonstrate the effectiveness of the Service’s intelligence-driven operations and reinforced its resolve to prevent the entry of prohibited items capable of undermining national security and endangering public health.
“These seizures in detail include 105 cartons of Delta 8 cannabis-infused pre-rolled cookies and this comprises 8,720 pieces in 17.44 kg, all valued at the sum of 308,792,600 Naira. We also have 125 cartons of Delta 8 cannabis-infused gummies. These were in 740 packs; each of them is 515.2 kg.
“The value is estimated at N40,700,000. The third content is 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies. This one is in 442 packs weighing 309.4 kg, and the total value is N24,310,000. And the last one is the combined street value of all of these illicit substances which stands at N373,802,640.
“All of these interceptions demonstrate the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks that exploit legitimate trade channels to traffic illicit weapons and dangerous narcotic products. They also reaffirm our effectiveness — that of our intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling system and very strong inter-agency collaboration,” he said.
Adeniyi commended the Controller, Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, and operatives of the Enforcement Unit for their vigilance, dedication and timely response to the alert that made the seizures possible.
The Customs boss assured Nigerians that the Service would continue to deploy intelligence, technology and inter-agency collaboration to dismantle transnational smuggling networks, prosecute offenders and safeguard the nation’s borders from illicit trade.
He said investigations into both seizures are ongoing, adding that additional arrests and prosecutions are expected as efforts continue to unravel the syndicates behind the illegal importations.
“This is a very delicate period for Nigerian history. We are about entering a major election cycle and we know that at 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. While they make attempts, they will want to find accomplices within the Customs and other security agencies. I want to assure Nigerians that Nigeria Customs Service will not have any of these people who will want to serve as accomplices or use their position to influence the importation of goods that will threaten our peace and security and threaten the credibility and peaceful conduct of the next general election.
“All hands will be on deck and this is why we invite Nigerians to join us. When you have any intelligence information that could lead us to these criminal people, do not hesitate to contact us,” he said.
(The Sun)