Customs Intercepts 140Rifle Parts, N373.8M Drug Shipment At Tican Port

Customs Intercepts 140Rifle Parts, N373.8M Drug Shipment At Tican Port

 

The Nigeria Customs Service has blocked a major security breach at Tincan Island Port, Lagos, after seizing a container loaded with components of more than 140 pump-action rifles and another consignment of cannabis-laced products valued at over ₦373.8 million.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the seizures on Thursday, 6 August 2026, saying they were the outcome of intensified intelligence-led operations at the port.  
Adeniyi revealed that the container arrived aboard MV VELIKA on 8 July 2026 and was marked for close scrutiny by the Service’s risk management platform.  

"Following a detailed examination, we discovered concealed crates containing dismantled parts suspected to be JoJeff pump-action rifles," the CGC stated.  
He added that the operation led to the arrest of two persons in connection with the arms shipment, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend a third suspect who is still on the run.  

In a related operation, Customs officers uncovered two 40-foot containers carrying cannabis-infused edibles that were cleverly concealed with used cars, generators, batteries and other household items.  

According to Adeniyi, the haul included 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies, 125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies, and 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies.  "The combined street value of these narcotics is ₦373,802,640," the CGC disclosed.  
The Customs boss said the seizures point to a new level of sophistication by international criminal groups using legitimate cargo channels to smuggle weapons and drugs into Nigeria.  

He described the interceptions as proof that the Service’s intelligence gathering, advanced profiling tools and joint operations with other security agencies are yielding results.  

Adeniyi cautioned that criminal elements could attempt to move more illegal consignments as the country approaches the next round of elections.  "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," he warned.  
He also vowed that the Service would deal decisively with any officer found aiding smugglers. "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," Adeniyi stated.  

The CGC urged Nigerians to volunteer credible information that could help Customs and other agencies in the fight against smuggling and organised crime.  

He praised the vigilance and professionalism of officers at Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for the successful operations.  "We remain committed to tracking down, arresting and prosecuting everyone linked to these criminal networks while protecting our borders and ensuring that legitimate trade continues without disruption," Adeniyi concluded.