Customs Arrests Importer, Clearing Agent Over 399 Rifles at Lagos Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested an importer and a female clearing agent over the alleged illegal importation of 399 Jojef pump-action rifles through the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Monday during the handover of the seized firearms to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). Adeniyi said the container arrived at the port on July 8 aboard MV Velika and was flagged for inspection by the Customs risk management system. The firearms were allegedly dismantled and concealed in knocked-down form to evade detection. Following examination and reassembly, Customs recovered 399 fully assembled rifles and 535 firearm components, including 89 frames, 80 charging handles, 57 trigger groups and 25 locking lugs. One of the suspects was arrested on July 31 at a bonded terminal while allegedly attempting to secure the release of the container. Adeniyi said both suspects had been remanded by the Federal High Court in Lagos, with their arraignment scheduled for August 25.

The Customs chief said the seizure demonstrated the importance of technology in identifying high-risk consignments. He explained that the Service could not physically inspect every container entering Nigeria, making automated risk profiling essential. He also warned that Customs would not allow the country’s ports and borders to be used for the illegal movement of firearms or other items capable of threatening national security. Customs officers found assisting such activities, he added, would not be protected by the Service. Receiving the weapons, NCCSALW Director-General, retired DIG Kokomo Johnson, said illicit small arms and light weapons remained major drivers of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and other violent crimes. Johnson disclosed that more than 21,000 small arms and light weapons had been recovered since the Centre was established, with over 19,000 already destroyed. He said the newly received weapons would be catalogued, profiled and documented. Serviceable firearms needed for authorised security operations would be properly accounted for, while illegal, obsolete and unserviceable weapons would be destroyed in line with national laws and international best practices. The NCCSALW also called for stronger cooperation among security agencies, real-time intelligence sharing, civil disarmament and voluntary surrender of illegal weapons. Customs said investigations would continue, while the court proceedings are expected to reveal more about the origin, intended destination and other persons who may have been involved in the alleged illegal importation. The latest recovery brings the number of suspects arrested in related seizures to about 11, while approximately 21,399 firearms have so far been handed over to the NCCSALW. In July 2026, Customs also handed over 55 Jojef Magnum Tomahawk shotguns, 844 assorted prohibited firearms and 112,500 cartridges to the Centre. Those weapons had been intercepted at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Onne Port, Rivers State, on June 19 and 21, 2024, respectively. Eleven suspects linked to those seizures were also handed over for prosecution and remain in custody at a correctional facility while facing proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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