Customs Intercepts Rifle Parts, Cannabis Worth N373.8m at Lagos Port
By Patience Ikpeme
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted components believed to be parts of more than 140 pump-action rifles and seized cannabis-infused products valued at N373.8 million at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
The two separate interceptions were made during intelligence-led operations, according to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who said the seizures showed the increasing attempts by criminal networks to exploit legitimate channels of international trade.
Adeniyi disclosed the seizures on Thursday while briefing journalists on the operations, saying the firearm components were discovered in a container that arrived at the port aboard the MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026.
He said the container was selected for further examination after the Customs risk-management system identified it as requiring closer scrutiny.
According to him, a physical examination of the container led to the discovery of crates containing knocked-down firearm components which Customs preliminarily identified as parts of JoJeff pump-action rifles.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the shipment, while another person believed to be a principal suspect is still at large and is being pursued by the authorities.
“The container was identified through our intelligence-driven profiling and subsequently subjected to enhanced examination,” Adeniyi said.
He said the discovery demonstrated the growing efforts by criminal groups to use ordinary commercial shipments as a means of moving prohibited weapons into Nigeria.
“What we uncovered underscores how transnational criminal networks are exploiting legitimate trade channels to traffic prohibited weapons into our country,” the Customs boss said.
In another operation at the port, Customs officers intercepted several consignments containing cannabis-infused products hidden among other imported goods.
The prohibited products were concealed in two 40-foot containers carrying used vehicles, generators, batteries and other items.
The seized consignments consisted of 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies, 125 cartons of Delta-8 gummies and 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies.
Customs put the combined street value of the cannabis products at N373,802,640.
Adeniyi said the method used to conceal the products showed that smugglers were becoming increasingly creative in their attempts to defeat border-control measures.
“These seizures reflect the growing sophistication of organised criminal actors who hide illicit consignments within legitimate cargo,” he said.
He said the NCS would continue to combine intelligence gathering, risk assessment, information sharing and physical examination of suspicious consignments to prevent prohibited goods from entering the country.
“We will continue to employ advanced risk profiling, intelligence sharing and physical examinations to protect our borders while facilitating lawful trade,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs chief also raised concerns over the approaching election period, warning that criminal elements could attempt to exploit Nigeria’s ports, airports and other entry points to move weapons and other prohibited items into the country.
He said the Service was preparing to strengthen its enforcement activities ahead of the next general election.
“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” Adeniyi said.
Beyond external threats, Adeniyi said the Customs Service was also concerned about the possibility of insiders assisting smugglers to bring dangerous goods into Nigeria.
He warned officers and other personnel against abusing their positions or cooperating with criminal networks, saying anyone found compromising the integrity of the Service would face appropriate action.
“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.
The interceptions were credited to officers of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit, with the NCS saying the operations were supported by intelligence and cooperation with other security agencies.
The seizures are significant not only from a security perspective but also for Nigeria’s trading environment, as the movement of prohibited arms and controlled substances through commercial ports can create additional risks for legitimate businesses and importers.
The continued use of legitimate cargo channels by smugglers also presents a challenge for port authorities and Customs because increased security checks can affect the speed at which genuine consignments are processed.
A Lagos-based trade compliance consultant said effective enforcement was necessary to protect confidence in Nigeria’s trading system, but added that the authorities and businesses must continue to strengthen technology, intelligence gathering and internal controls.
“The economics of trade security are clear: effective enforcement protects market confidence and reduces long-term costs associated with crime,” the consultant said.
The consultant added that Customs and private-sector operators needed to invest continuously in modern systems and stronger staff-integrity measures because smugglers were also adapting their methods.
The NCS said investigations into both interceptions were continuing and that efforts were underway to identify all persons connected with the consignments.
Those found culpable are expected to face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
The Service also said the enforcement actions would not be allowed to unnecessarily disrupt legitimate commerce, stressing that lawful imports through Tincan Island Port would continue to receive the necessary facilitation.
The latest seizures add to the wider challenge facing Nigeria’s border agencies as they seek to balance the need for faster trade with the responsibility of preventing weapons, narcotics and other prohibited goods from entering the country.
