The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 399 Jojeff pump-action rifles and 535 assorted firearm components intercepted at Tincan Island Port, Lagos, to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
The handover, which took place on Monday, August 17, 2026, underscores strengthened collaboration between the two agencies in tackling the illicit trafficking and proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the seizure as significant, particularly against the backdrop of the country’s security challenges and the approaching electioneering season.
He said the interception had potentially prevented hundreds of firearms from falling into the hands of criminal elements, stressing that technology and intelligence-led operations were increasingly critical to securing Nigeria’s ports and borders.
According to Adeniyi, the Customs Service would continue to deploy technology, intelligence and enhanced risk-management systems to detect and intercept prohibited consignments.
“We will not allow the ports and the borders of this country to be used to bring in arms or anything else that threatens the safety of Nigerians,” he said.
The Customs boss disclosed that the Federal High Court in Lagos had remanded two suspects arrested in connection with the consignment, with their arraignment scheduled for August 25.
Adeniyi also warned Customs personnel against facilitating the illegal importation of arms, saying any officer found aiding such activities would face disciplinary and legal consequences.
“What stands on record today is that these rifles will never be fired in this country,” he said, adding that no Customs officer involved in facilitating the illegal importation of arms would receive protection from the Service.
Receiving the seized items, the Director-General of NCCSALW, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Babatunde (Rtd.), commended Adeniyi for his leadership and the Customs Service for its continued cooperation in combating the proliferation of illicit arms.
Babatunde said the weapons would be managed in accordance with Nigeria’s laws and international best practices, including the country’s obligations under relevant regional and international frameworks.
He said the NCCSALW would immediately catalogue, profile and document all the items received to ensure proper accountability.
According to him, serviceable firearms required for authorised use by state security agencies would be properly accounted for, while obsolete, illegal and unserviceable weapons would be destroyed in line with established procedures.
The development further highlights the increasing emphasis on inter-agency cooperation and intelligence-led border control measures to prevent the diversion of illicit arms into Nigeria.
