The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 20-foot container containing concealed parts of pump-action rifles and two 40-foot containers carrying cannabis-infused products at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
The seizures, which have a combined street value of approximately ₦373.8 million, were announced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, during a briefing at the port.
According to reports published on Friday, August 7, 2026, the operation forms part of the Customs Service’s ongoing intelligence-driven efforts to prevent prohibited goods, arms and narcotics from entering Nigeria through the nation’s seaports.
Customs officers reportedly identified the 20-foot container through the Service’s risk-management and intelligence systems. The container, numbered TEMU-184536/9, arrived at Tin Can Island Port on July 8, 2026, aboard the vessel MV Velika.
Following intelligence received by the Service, officers placed the container under surveillance before subjecting it to detailed physical examination.
The examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components identified primarily as Jojef pump-action rifles.
Customs officials said that about 140 double-barrel pump-action rifles had been reassembled from the recovered components at the time the seizure was presented to journalists. Investigations into the exact quantity and circumstances surrounding the shipment were continuing.
The seizure has also resulted in arrests. Customs authorities confirmed that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the interceptions, while the principal importer of the firearms remains at large.
The Service said investigations were ongoing to establish the identities of other individuals and networks connected to the shipment.
In a separate operation, Customs intercepted two 40-foot containers containing cannabis-infused gummies and cookies concealed among other imported goods.
The cannabis products were also seized as part of the operation, bringing the combined estimated street value of the firearms-related seizure and cannabis products to ₦373.8 million.
The latest interception underscores the security challenges confronting Nigeria’s maritime sector, particularly the use of legitimate cargo channels to conceal prohibited commodities.
Ports serve as critical gateways for international trade, but their enormous cargo volumes also make them potential targets for criminal networks attempting to move illicit goods across borders.
The Customs Service’s use of intelligence-led risk assessment and physical examination is therefore becoming increasingly important in detecting suspicious consignments without unnecessarily disrupting legitimate trade.
The development also highlights the importance of collaboration between Customs, other security agencies, shipping companies, terminal operators and freight stakeholders in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime security architecture.
For the country’s ports to support economic growth effectively, authorities must maintain a balance between trade facilitation and border security.
The latest seizures demonstrate that while Nigeria continues to pursue faster and more efficient cargo clearance, security agencies remain under pressure to prevent the country’s ports from being exploited by criminal networks.
Customs authorities have consequently urged members of the public and stakeholders within the maritime industry to provide credible information that can assist ongoing investigations and help identify individuals involved in the illegal importation of prohibited goods.
