By ebosele@hotmail.com –
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 20-foot container loaded with concealed pump-action rifle parts and two 40-foot containers carrying cannabis-infused products hidden among imported goods at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.
City Business News reports that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Thursday while parading the seizures before journalists at the port, revealing that 140 double-barrel pump-action rifles had already been reassembled from the container, with the counting and inventory of recovered parts still ongoing.
According to him, investigations have led to the arrest of two suspects linked to the illegal importation, while the principal importer remains at large.
Adeniyi explained that the 20-foot container, marked TEMU-184536/9, arrived at Tin Can Island Port on July 8, 2026, aboard the vessel MV Velika.
He said the container was flagged by the Service’s intelligence-driven risk management system, prompting enhanced surveillance and a detailed physical examination.
The inspection uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components of JoJef pump-action rifles.
“As of the time of this briefing, 140 pieces of double-barrel JoJef pump-action rifles have been recovered, while examination and inventory are still ongoing to determine the total quantity,” he said.
The Customs boss noted that the seizure underscores the Service’s commitment to preventing the importation of prohibited items capable of threatening national security.
He disclosed that a key suspect was arrested on July 21, 2026, at a bonded terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container.
According to Adeniyi, documentary evidence, financial transactions and telecommunication records established links between the suspect and the consignee listed on the shipping documents.
He revealed that investigators traced a payment of N10,000 from a company account directly linked to the consignee, adding that the two suspects currently in custody are assisting with ongoing investigations while efforts continue to apprehend the principal suspect.
In a separate operation, Customs operatives intercepted two 40-foot containers concealing cannabis-infused products alongside two used vehicles, two used pumping generators and other imported goods in an attempt to evade detection.
The seized narcotics comprised 105 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-rolled cookies containing 8,720 pieces weighing 17.44 kilograms and valued at N308.79 million; 125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies weighing 515.2 kilograms and valued at N40.7 million; and 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies weighing 309.4 kilograms with an estimated value of N24.31 million.
Adeniyi said the combined street value of the seized narcotics stands at N373.8 million.
He described the seizures as evidence of the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks exploiting legitimate trade channels to smuggle illicit weapons and dangerous drugs into the country.
The Customs CG said the successful interceptions were made possible through intelligence-driven enforcement, advanced risk profiling systems and effective collaboration with other security agencies.
He commended the Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, and officers of the Enforcement Unit for their vigilance and professionalism in executing the operations.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to deploying intelligence, technology and inter-agency collaboration to dismantle smuggling syndicates, prosecute offenders and safeguard Nigeria’s borders.
He added that investigations into both seizures are continuing and expressed confidence that more arrests and prosecutions would follow.
The Customs boss also warned that security agencies are on heightened alert as the country approaches another election cycle, stressing that criminal elements may attempt to exploit the nation’s ports and borders to smuggle weapons capable of disrupting peace and the electoral process.
He assured Nigerians that the Service would not tolerate any compromise by its personnel or other security agencies and urged members of the public to provide credible intelligence that could assist in identifying and apprehending criminal networks.
