{"id":12329,"date":"2026-08-18T05:53:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T05:53:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/?p=12329"},"modified":"2026-08-18T06:33:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T06:33:41","slug":"nigeria-customs-uncover-importers-as-399-pump-action-rifles-gun-components-seized-at-tin-can-island-port","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/2026\/08\/18\/nigeria-customs-uncover-importers-as-399-pump-action-rifles-gun-components-seized-at-tin-can-island-port\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigeria Customs Uncover Importers as 399 Pump-Action Rifles, Gun Components Seized at Tin-Can Island Port"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Beadysword News Blog<\/span><\/p>\n

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered the identities of two suspected importers linked to a shipment containing <\/span>399 fully assembled JOJEF pump-action rifles and a large quantity of firearm components<\/b> intercepted at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/Dd0FrIBqwuA?si=-5L-Fy3-WXkHASv8<\/span><\/p>\n

The seizure, which authorities described as a major national security intervention, has raised fresh concerns over the illegal movement of firearms into Nigeria, particularly as the country approaches another election season. \"\" \"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

The Comptroller-General of Customs, <\/span>Dr Bashir Adeniyi<\/b>, disclosed the development on Monday in Lagos while formally handing over the seized weapons to the <\/span>National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW)<\/b>, under the Office of the National Security Adviser.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Customs Service, the suspects linked to the consignment have been identified as <\/span>Robert Eze and Ejiogu Godson<\/b>.<\/span> Both men have reportedly been arrested and remanded by the Federal High Court in Lagos, with their arraignment scheduled for <\/span>August 25<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the suspects was allegedly arrested on <\/span>July 31 at a bonded terminal<\/b> while attempting to facilitate the release of the container containing the firearms.<\/span><\/p>\n

How the Firearms Were Intercepted<\/span><\/p>\n

The consignment reportedly arrived at the Tin-Can Island Port on <\/span>July 8 aboard the vessel MV VELIKA<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The container was flagged by the Nigeria Customs Service’s risk-management system for physical inspection. During the examination, Customs officers discovered that the firearms had been dismantled and concealed in knocked-down form, a method allegedly designed to disguise the weapons and evade detection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the 399 rifles, Customs said the consignment also contained significant firearm components, including <\/span>89 frames, 80 charging handles, 579 trigger groups and 25 locking lugs<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Adeniyi said the quantity of firearms could have had serious consequences for Nigeria’s security if the shipment had reached its intended destination.<\/span><\/p>\n

He warned that illicit firearms could further fuel <\/span>terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime<\/b>, stressing the importance of effective border control.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Customs boss attributed the successful interception to investments in technology under the <\/span>Trade Modernisation Project<\/b>, particularly the <\/span>B’Odogwu platform<\/b>, which integrates cargo clearance, automated risk management, cargo tracking and non-intrusive inspection.<\/span><\/p>\n

He explained that modern technology enables Customs to identify high-risk consignments for closer examination, rather than physically inspecting every container entering the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to him, the technology’s objective goes beyond revenue collection to include protecting national security and preventing dangerous goods from entering Nigeria.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Adeniyi commended the Customs Area Controller, <\/span>Comptroller Joseph Anani<\/b>, and officers of the Tin-Can Island Command for their diligence.<\/span><\/p>\n

He also warned Customs personnel that any officer found compromising the system would face disciplinary action.<\/span><\/p>\n

NCCSALW Takes Custody of Seized Weapons<\/span><\/p>\n

Receiving the firearms on behalf of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, <\/span>Babatunde Kokumo<\/b>, said the Centre had now received 399 seized illicit weapons from the Nigeria Customs Service.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kokumo disclosed that the Centre has recovered <\/span>more than 21,000 small arms and light weapons since its establishment<\/b>, with <\/span>over 19,000 subsequently destroyed<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

He said the recovery and destruction of illicit weapons were critical to disrupting criminal networks and reducing the proliferation of arms across the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

The NCCSALW director-general also called for stronger cooperation among security agencies, improved intelligence sharing and sustained civil disarmament efforts to tackle the illegal circulation of firearms.<\/span><\/p>\n

He noted that illegal weapons remain a major driver of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.<\/span><\/p>\n

Customs Reaffirms Commitment to Border Security<\/span><\/p>\n

The Customs Area Controller of the Tin-Can Island Command, <\/span>Joseph Anani<\/b>, stressed that effective arms control requires close collaboration among security agencies and strict adherence to established laws and procedures for the custody and management of seized items.<\/span><\/p>\n

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to prevent the illicit movement of small arms and light weapons into Nigeria.<\/span><\/p>\n

The latest seizure adds to growing efforts by Nigerian security agencies to prevent firearms trafficking through the country’s ports, airports and land borders.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Nigeria Customs Service said it would continue to strengthen its surveillance, intelligence and technology-driven risk-management systems to ensure that Nigerian borders are not used as channels for the importation of arms and other dangerous goods.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch the Full News Report on Beadysworld TV<\/span><\/p>\n

For viewers who want to hear the full details, including the statements from the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, <\/span>watch the full news broadcast on Beadysworld TV on YouTube<\/b>.https:\/\/youtu.be\/Dd0FrIBqwuA?si=-5L-Fy3-WXkHASv8<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow Beadysworld TV for more breaking news, current affairs, human-interest stories and investigative reports from Nigeria and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This report is published by Beadysword News Blog based on information provided by the Nigeria Customs Service\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Beadysword News Blog The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered the identities of two suspected importers linked to a shipment containing 399 fully assembled JOJEF pump-action rifles and a large quantity of firearm...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12330,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t