ELECTION CYCLE: Customs Averts Major Security Threat, Seizes Over 140 Arms Components, ₦373.8m illicit Drugs

By Ramadan AbusiOdumare, Correspondent

At the Tincan Island Port Command, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) averted a major security threat by intercepting 140 pump-action rifle parts alongside ₦373.8 million worth of cannabis products.

PHOTO: CGC Adeniyi addressing reporters at Tin-Can Port 

The Comptroller General of the Service, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi, announced that a container arriving aboard the MV Velika on 8 July 2026 was successfully intercepted after being flagged by Customs’ intelligence risk system.

On 6 August 2026, the CGC Adeniyi officially disclosed the seizure during a briefing at Lagos’s Tincan Island Port..

A thorough examination , he said, uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles. The CGC added that investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively tracked.

PHOTO: Some of the seized items

In a separate operation, Adeniyi said, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers conveying cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and pre-roll products concealed alongside used vehicles, generators, batteries and other imported goods. The seizures comprised 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, with a combined street value of ₦373,802,640.

The Comptroller General added that the interceptions reflect the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks exploiting legitimate trade channels to traffic prohibited weapons and narcotics into the country. He noted that the successful operations underscore the effectiveness of the Service’s intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling systems and collaboration with sister security agencies.

Warning that criminal elements may seek to exploit the nation’s borders during the election season, the CGC said,

“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 further assured Nigerians that the Service would not tolerate compromise from within its ranks, stating, “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.” He urged members of the public to provide credible intelligence to support ongoing efforts against smuggling and organised crime.”

The CGC commended officers of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming that the Service remains committed to identifying, arresting and prosecuting all those connected with the criminal networks while safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and facilitating legitimate trade.