Customs uncover 399 rifles at Tincan Island Port

The Nigeria Customs Service has uncovered 399 fully assembled Jojef pump-action rifles and several supplementary rifle components at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos, describing the seizure as a major blow to the illegal proliferation of arms in Nigeria.

The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullah Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, following the completion of the coupling and detailed examination of the seized shipment.

According to Mr Maiwada, the seizure followed an interception on 6 August 2026, of a container carrying concealed crates of knocked-down components preliminarily identified as Jojef pump-action rifles.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the weapons were discovered after the service subjected the shipment to detailed examination.

The NCS spokesperson said the seizure comprised 399 fully assembled firearms, alongside a substantial quantity of additional rifle components.

The recovered parts included 89 frames, 16 heat shields, 10 trigger pins, three pistons, 25 locking lugs, 80 charging handles, 39 pistol-grip screws, 34 springs, 57 trigger groups, 66 foregrip latches, 45 foregrips or handguards, four pistol grips and five barrels.

Speaking on the seizure, Mr Adeniyi warned that criminal networks could attempt to exploit Nigeria’s borders, seaports and airports to move prohibited items into the country as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections.

Mr Adeniyi said the Customs Service was aware of the heightened risks associated with the approaching election cycle and would intensify its surveillance and enforcement operations.

“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,” Mr Adeniyi said.

Customs strengthens security ahead of 2027 elections

The Customs chief reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to intelligence-led enforcement and stronger surveillance across Nigeria’s borders and entry points.

Mr Adeniyi said the NCS would also strengthen collaboration with sister security agencies, including the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons under the Office of the National Security Adviser, to identify and dismantle arms-trafficking networks.

The collaboration, he said, was necessary to prevent dangerous weapons from entering circulation and to protect national security while ensuring that legitimate international trade continues.

Following the completion of the inventory and assessment of the seized shipment, Mr Adeniyi said the NCS was preparing to hand over the recovered weapons to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

He said the move would reinforce the joint commitment of security agencies to removing illicit weapons from circulation and pursuing those responsible for the trafficking operation.

The Customs chief stressed that the objective was not only to intercept illegal arms but also to ensure that individuals and networks behind their movement into Nigeria were identified, investigated and brought to justice.

The seizure comes amid heightened security concerns ahead of the 2027 general elections, with security agencies expected to strengthen monitoring of Nigeria’s borders and other entry points to prevent the movement of weapons and other prohibited items.