The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 399 fully assembled Jojef firearms and assorted rifle components concealed in a shipment at the Tin Can Island Port Command in Lagos.
NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, said on Sunday that the weapons were uncovered after Customs conducted a detailed examination of a container initially declared as carrying crates of knocked-down firearm components.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said additional parts recovered from the shipment included frames, trigger groups, barrels, foregrips and other components. He warned that criminal networks could attempt to exploit Nigeria’s ports, borders and airports to move prohibited items into the country, particularly as the nation approaches another election cycle.
Adeniyi said the service would intensify intelligence-led surveillance and enforcement at entry points while strengthening collaboration with other security agencies to disrupt arms-trafficking networks. He specifically cited cooperation with the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), under the Office of the National Security Adviser, saying the seized firearms would be handed over to the centre after inventory and assessment.
The Customs chief said the seizure demonstrated the commitment of security agencies to preventing dangerous weapons from entering circulation and ensuring that those responsible for the trafficking attempt are identified and prosecuted.
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