The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a container concealing parts of more than 140 pump-action rifles and seized cannabis-infused products valued at ₦373.8 million at the Tincan Island Port Command in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the seizures on recently during a briefing at the port, describing the operations as a major breakthrough in the Service’s intensified security enforcement efforts.
According to Adeniyi, the container carrying the rifle components arrived aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, and was flagged for enhanced surveillance through the Service’s intelligence-driven risk management system.
He said a detailed examination of the container uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles.
The Customs boss disclosed that investigations had led to the arrest of two suspects, while another principal suspect remained at large and was being actively tracked by security operatives.
In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers loaded with cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and pre-roll products hidden among used vehicles, generators, batteries and other imported goods.
The seized items 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 interceptions highlighted the increasing sophistication of transnational criminal networks using legitimate trade channels to smuggle prohibited weapons and narcotics into Nigeria.
He noted that the successful operations demonstrated the effectiveness of the Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling systems and collaboration with other security agencies.
The CGC warned that criminal groups might attempt to exploit the country’s borders during the election season.
“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 also warned that the Service would not tolerate compromise from within its ranks, stressing that officers found collaborating with criminal networks would face severe consequences.
“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 appealed to members of the public to provide credible intelligence to assist the Service in combating smuggling and organised crime.
The CGC commended officers of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the Service’s commitment to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those connected to criminal networks while safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and facilitating legitimate trade.
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