The Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 204 pump-action rifles smuggled into Nigeria from Turkey, in another major seizure in the service’s crackdown on illicit arms trafficking through the nation’s ports.
Briefing journalists at the Tin Can Island Port on Monday, Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi said the seizure underscored the Service’s growing reliance on intelligence-led operations to disrupt the illegal movement of firearms into the country.
Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General, Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Timi Bomodi, recalled that he had personally visited the Command earlier in August to announce the interception of knocked-down firearm components which were subsequently assembled into 399 pump-action rifles.
Those rifles were formally handed over to officials of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
He said the latest seizure further demonstrated the vigilance of Customs officers and was the result of sustained intelligence gathering and the commitment of personnel at the command.
“Based on credible information gathered, a 20-foot container imported from Turkey aboard the vessel MV Algeciras Express on 16 August 2026 was flagged and subjected to a 100 per cent physical examination on 18 August 2026,” he said.
According to him, the inspection uncovered concealed firearm components hidden among other declared 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,” Adeniyi said.
He added that investigators had also uncovered discrepancies in the shipment’s documentation, particularly concerning the identity of the consignee.
“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,” he said.
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 resulted in the assembly of 204 MAS 49 Alter Magnum pump-action rifles, alongside several leftover components, including 39 trigger pins, 58 locking lugs, 53 charging handles, 55 pistol-grip screws, 56 springs, 56 trigger groups, 38 forward grips or handguards, 67 forward-grip latches, 56 pistol grips, 54 barrels and two U-plates.
Adeniyi described the seizure as further evidence that the Service was maintaining heightened surveillance and intelligence-led enforcement against the illicit movement of firearms through Nigeria’s ports and borders.
He said the recovered firearms and components 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.
The Customs chief also stressed the importance of intelligence-sharing and collaboration among the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
He said a whole-of-government approach remained critical to curbing arms smuggling and tackling the criminal activities associated with the illegal movement of firearms through Nigeria’s ports and borders.