Customs Busts Major Gun-Running Syndicate, Uncovers 140 Pump-Action Rifles Plus ₦373.8m Worth of Cannabis Haul At Tin Can Port

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded one of its biggest anti-smuggling breakthroughs in recent times with the interception of a container concealing components of at least 140 pump-action rifles and the seizure of cannabis-infused products with a combined street value of ₦373.8 million at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.

Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who paraded the seizures before journalists at the port on Thursday, described the operation as a decisive blow against transnational criminal syndicates attempting to exploit Nigeria’s seaports to smuggle prohibited firearms and narcotics into the country.

The Customs boss disclosed that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the illegal importation, while the principal suspect, believed to be the mastermind of the arms shipment, is currently on the run.

According to Adeniyi, the 20-foot container, No. TEMU 184536/9, arrived aboard MV Velika on July 8, 2026, but was flagged by the Service’s intelligence-driven risk management system for enhanced surveillance.

Acting on credible intelligence, Customs operatives placed the container under close watch before subjecting it to a comprehensive physical examination at the Customs Enforcement Station.

“The examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components of JoJef pump-action rifles. As of the time of this briefing, 140 double-barrel pump-action rifles have already been reassembled from the recovered parts, while examination and inventory are still ongoing to determine the final quantity,” Adeniyi stated.

He explained that investigations swiftly led to the arrest of one suspect at the Migfo Bonded Terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container.

The Comptroller General explained that documentary evidence, financial records and telecommunications analysis established direct links between the suspect and the consignee named in the shipping documents.

Among the exhibits recovered, he revealed, was evidence of a ₦10,000 payment traced to a company account directly linked to the consignee on the day of the suspect’s arrest.

“Two suspects are currently in custody assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively pursued by law enforcement agencies,” he disclosed.

In another intelligence-led operation, the Command ably led by Comptroller Joe Anani intercepted two 40-foot containers loaded with cannabis-infused products cleverly concealed among legitimate imports, including two used vehicles, two used pumping generators, polypropylene spunbond fabric, tubular batteries and thunder arrester cables.

The seizures comprised 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies containing 8,720 pieces weighing 17.44 kilograms and valued at ₦308.79 million; 125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies comprising 740 packs weighing 515.2 kilograms with an estimated value of ₦40.7 million; and 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies containing 442 packs weighing 309.4 kilograms valued at ₦24.31 million.

The combined street value of the illicit narcotics was put at ₦373,802,640. Adeniyi noted that the seizures underscore the increasing sophistication of international criminal networks exploiting legitimate trade channels to traffic prohibited weapons and dangerous narcotics into Nigeria.

He attributed the successful interceptions to the Service’s intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling system and robust inter-agency collaboration.

The Comptroller General further warned that with Nigeria approaching another election cycle, criminal elements may intensify attempts to import weapons capable of threatening national peace and security.

“This is a very delicate period in our nation’s history. As we move towards another election cycle, criminal elements will seek to exploit our ports, borders and airports to import weapons and other prohibited items.
“We are determined to frustrate every such attempt. Nigeria’s ports will never become safe havens for traffickers of illicit weapons, narcotics or other prohibited goods.

“We will also ensure that no officer of the Nigeria Customs Service or any other security agency compromises the integrity of our operations by aiding these criminal networks,” he declared.

Adeniyi commended the Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Joseph Anani, alongside officers of the Customs Enforcement Unit, for their vigilance, professionalism and timely response that culminated in the successful seizures.

He also appreciated the support of other security and law enforcement agencies, assuring Nigerians that the Service would continue deploying intelligence, technology and strategic partnerships to dismantle transnational smuggling syndicates, prosecute offenders and safeguard the nation’s borders.

The Customs boss appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence capable of assisting security agencies in the fight against organised transnational crime.

Investigations into both seizures, he added, are ongoing, with more arrests and prosecutions expected as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle the criminal networks behind the illegal importations.