Tin Can Port: Customs Seizes Rifle Parts, ₦373.8m Cannabis Consignment | Blissful Affairs Online
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted components of more than 140 pump-action rifles and seized cannabis-infused products valued at ₦373.8 million in separate operations at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures on Thursday, August 6, 2026, while briefing journalists at the Tincan Island Port Command.
According to Adeniyi, the container containing the arms components arrived at the port aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, and was flagged for enhanced inspection through the Service’s intelligence-driven risk management system.
A detailed examination of the container uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles.
The CGC said the development prompted further investigation, leading to the arrest of two suspects, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend another principal suspect who remains at large.
In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers containing cannabis-infused products concealed among used vehicles, generators, batteries and other imported items.
The seized consignments 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 the cannabis products was put at ₦373,802,640.
Adeniyi said the seizures demonstrated the increasing sophistication of transnational criminal networks attempting to exploit legitimate trade channels to move prohibited weapons and narcotics into Nigeria.
He attributed the successful interceptions to the Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy, advanced risk-profiling systems and collaboration with sister security agencies.
The Customs boss also warned that criminal elements could attempt to exploit Nigeria’s borders, ports and airports during the approaching election season.
“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,” Adeniyi said.
He further warned that the Service would take action against personnel who assist criminal networks in compromising border security.
“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 said.
Adeniyi urged members of the public to provide credible intelligence to security agencies to support efforts to disrupt smuggling operations and organised criminal networks.
He commended officers of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance and professionalism.
The CGC reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to identifying, arresting and prosecuting individuals linked to the smuggling operations, while strengthening border security and facilitating legitimate trade.
