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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a container concealing components of pump-action rifles and seized cannabis-infused products with a combined street value of N373.8 million in separate operations at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures on Thursday, August 6, 2026, describing the operations as a major breakthrough in the Service’s intelligence-led campaign against the smuggling of prohibited weapons and narcotics through Nigeria’s seaports.
According to Adeniyi, Container No. TEMU 184536/9, which arrived aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, was flagged by the Customs risk-management system and subsequently placed under surveillance.
A detailed physical examination at the Customs Enforcement Station uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles.
The recovered firearm components are undergoing technical examination and inventory to establish their exact quantity and configuration.
The investigation has also led to the arrest of suspects linked to the attempted clearance of the container.
Adeniyi said one suspect was arrested on July 31 at the Migfo Bonded Terminal while allegedly attempting to facilitate the release of the container.
He said documentary evidence, financial records and telecommunications analysis established the suspect’s connection with the named consignee. Investigators also traced a N10,000 payment to a company account linked to the consignee on the day of the arrest.
According to the Customs chief, two suspects are currently in custody and assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively tracked by security operatives.
In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers carrying cannabis-infused products concealed alongside used vehicles, pumping generators, polypropylene spunbond fabric, tubular batteries and thunder arrester cables.
The seized narcotic products comprised 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies containing 8,720 pieces, weighing 17.44kg and valued at N308.79 million.
Also intercepted were 125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies comprising 740 packs, weighing 515.2kg and valued at N40.7 million.
Another 73 cartons containing 442 packs of cannabis-infused cookies, weighing 309.4kg, were valued at N24.31 million.
The total street value of the intercepted cannabis-infused products was put at N373.8 million.
Adeniyi said the seizures highlighted the increasing sophistication of transnational criminal networks seeking to exploit legitimate international trade channels to move illicit arms and narcotics into Nigeria.
He said the operations also demonstrated the effectiveness of the NCS’s intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, advanced risk-profiling systems and collaboration with other security and law-enforcement agencies.
The Customs chief vowed that the Service would continue to pursue individuals and networks involved in the importation of prohibited goods, stressing that those connected to the illegal operations would be identified, apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“Nigeria’s ports will never serve as safe havens for the trafficking of illicit weapons, narcotics or other prohibited goods,” Adeniyi declared.
He commended officers and men of the Tin Can Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance, professionalism and dedication, which culminated in the successful interceptions.
The Comptroller-General also acknowledged the continued support of sister security and law-enforcement agencies in safeguarding the nation’s borders.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to its statutory mandate, stressing that the Service would remain focused on securing Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the importation of prohibited and dangerous goods.
