The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday handed over another 204 units of illegally imported firearms intercepted and seized by the operatives of the Tincan Island Command of the Service to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
The exercise was carried out in Lagos on behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, by the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Enforcement Investigation and Inspection, DCG Timi Bomodi.
DCG Bomodi, who handed the weapons to the Zonal Director, South West Zone of the NCCSALW, CP Abiodun Alamutu (Rtd), said the exercise marked yet another significant seizure by the Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Port Command, which he highlighted was preceded by credible intelligence and sustained efforts to prevent the importation and circulation of illegally imported firearms into Nigeria.
Briefing journalists on the latest interception at Tin Can Island, the Comptroller-General recalled that earlier in August 2026, he had personally visited the Command to announce the interception of knocked-down firearm components, which were subsequently assembled into 399 pump-action rifles and formally handed over to officials of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Speaking on the latest seizure, DCG Bomodi said it had once again demonstrated the vigilance of customs officers, describing it as the outcome of sustained intelligence gathering and the dedication of personnel at the command.
According to Bomodi, “Based on credible information gathered, a 20-foot container, an import from Turkey aboard vessel MV Algeciras Express on 16 August 2026, was flagged and subjected to a 100 percent physical examination on 18 August 2026.”
He disclosed that a search of the container uncovered concealed firearm components hidden among other goods.
“After thorough examination, the container was found to contain knocked-down firearm components concealed among declared used goods, including furniture, refrigerators, solar panels, and detergent,” Bomodi stated.
He added that investigators also flagged inconsistencies in the shipment’s documentation.
“Further discrepancies were also discovered in the consignment documents, particularly regarding the identity of the consignee. These discrepancies are part of the ongoing investigation into the shipment and those connected to it,” Bomodi stated.
Following the discovery, the Command constituted a joint team comprising personnel from the Nigeria Customs Service Armament Unit and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the Office of the National Security Adviser, to assemble the recovered components.
The exercise yielded 204 MAS 49 ALTER MAGNUM pump-action rifles, in addition to a number of leftover parts comprising 39 trigger pins, 58 locking lugs, 53 charging handles, 55 pistol grip screws, 56 springs, 56 trigger groups, 38 forward grips (hand guards), 67 forward grip latches, 56 pistol grips, 54 barrels and two U-plates.
DCG Bomodi described the seizure as further evidence that the Service was sustaining heightened surveillance and intelligence-led enforcement against the illicit movement of firearms through Nigeria’s ports and borders.
He said the recovered items had been secured and documented and would be formally handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for appropriate statutory action.
According to him, the operation underscored the importance of intelligence sharing and collaboration between the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies.
He said the whole-of-government approach was critical to tackling arms smuggling and related criminal activities at Nigeria’s ports and borders.
DCG Bomodi also used the occasion to reiterate the Comptroller-General’s warning to smugglers, arms traffickers, and their collaborators that illegal arms would not find their way to the wrong end of the value chain, stressing that the space for concealment was becoming increasingly limited.
He added that the Service’s risk management system remained robust and effective, with no weak links in its architecture.
He warned that those who believe firearms can be disguised as household goods, concealed in containers or imported through false or inconsistent documentation should understand that intelligence-led enforcement, technological tools, profiling and inter-agency collaboration are making such schemes increasingly difficult to execute.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
