Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos | August 17, 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has intercepted 399 fully assembled JOJEF pump-action rifles and firearm components at Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos, and handed them over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, NCCSALW.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Monday during the handover ceremony. He also confirmed the arrest of two suspects linked to the shipment.
*Intelligence-Driven Bust Stops Arms Trafficking*
According to the CGC, the container carrying the weapons arrived on July 8 aboard vessel MV VELIKA. It was flagged by the Customs risk management system for examination.
During inspection, officers uncovered 399 rifles and other firearm parts concealed in knocked-down form.
Adeniyi credited the seizure to intelligence-driven risk management and technology under the Trade Modernisation Project, rather than random checks.
“Look carefully at what is laid out on these tables. 399 rifles. Somebody paid for them. Somebody arranged their shipment. Somebody was waiting at this end to collect them,” he said.
He warned that if the weapons had entered circulation, they could have worsened terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, and threatened the upcoming electioneering season.
*Suspects Remanded, Trial Set for August 25*
The suspects, identified as Robert Eze and Ejiogu Godson, were arrested in connection with the consignment. One was apprehended on July 31 at a bonded terminal while allegedly attempting to clear the container.
Both have been remanded by the Federal High Court in Lagos. Their arraignment is scheduled for August 25, 2026.
_Note: The suspects remain accused persons and have not been convicted. Their alleged involvement will be determined by the court._
*B’Odogwu, Risk Systems Deliver Results*
Adeniyi said the operation demonstrates the impact of investments in the B’Odogwu platform, which integrates cargo clearance, automated risk management, cargo tracking and non-intrusive inspection.
He commended officers of Tin-Can Island Port Command for detecting the shipment despite efforts to conceal the arms, and assured that NCS will continue to strengthen collaboration with sister agencies to block illegal importation of firearms.
*NCCSALW Receives Arms, Vows Proper Management*
Receiving the weapons, the National Coordinator of NCCSALW, Johnson Kokumo, said the Centre has received over 21,000 Small Arms and Light Weapons from Customs since its establishment, with more than 19,000 already destroyed.
He described the handover as “a significant step in the fight against proliferation of illicit firearms” and a direct blow to criminal networks.
Kokumo assured that the 399 rifles will be catalogued, profiled and documented immediately. Serviceable arms needed for authorised state security use will be accounted for, while illegal and unserviceable weapons will be destroyed in line with national and international frameworks.
The handover marks another milestone in the joint effort between NCS and NCCSALW to secure Nigeria’s ports, borders and communities from illegal arms.
