Customs Hands Over Seized 399 JOJEF Pump-Action Rifle to NCCSALW, Nabs Two Suspects
Customs Hands Over Seized 399 JOJEF Pump-Action Rifle to NCCSALW, Nabs Two Suspects
By Jerry Aguigbo
Following the discovery and seizure of 399 JOJEF Rifles last week by the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) Tin-can Port Command, the NCS has further on identified two importers allegedly behind the shipment of 399 fully assembled JOJEF pump-action rifles and other firearm components intercepted at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos.
The suspects, identified as Robert Eze and Ejiogu Godson, were arrested in connection with the consignment and have been remanded by the Federal High Court in Lagos, with their arraignment scheduled for August 25, 2026.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this while addressing Journalists at the handing over formalities of the seized firearms to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), under the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The CGC stated that the container conveying the weapons arrived at the Tin-Can Island Port on July 8 aboard the vessel MV VELIKA but was subsequently flagged by the Customs risk management system for examination.
Where the inspection uncovered 399 rifles and other firearm components that had been dismantled and concealed in knocked-down form.
Adeniyi revealed that the discovery was the result of intelligence-driven risk management and technology, rather than a random physical inspection.
He explained that the Customs Service could not open every container entering the country, stressing that an effective risk management system enables officers to identify consignments requiring closer scrutiny.
This seizure, according to the CGC, demonstrated the impact of investments under the Trade Modernisation Project, particularly the B’Odogwu platform, which integrates cargo clearance, automated risk management, cargo tracking and non-intrusive inspection.
“Look carefully at what is laid out on these tables. 399 rifles. Somebody paid for them. Somebody arranged their shipment. Somebody was waiting at this end to collect them,” he said.
Adeniyi warned that the quantity of firearms could have had serious consequences if the weapons had reached criminal elements.
He buttressed by saying that Nigeria is already contending with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime, with illicit firearms often playing a major role in such activities.
While raising concerns over the approaching electioneering season, expressing fears that hundreds of firearms in the wrong hands could threaten the peace of communities and undermine democratic activities.
One of the suspects, we gathered was arrested on July 31 at a bonded terminal while allegedly attempting to procure the release of the container.
While both suspects had been remanded by the Federal High Court in Lagos and that their arraignment was scheduled for August 25.
Adeniyi described the operation as a complete enforcement chain, involving the identification and interception of the suspicious consignment, arrest of the suspects, court proceedings and the eventual transfer of the weapons to the national authority responsible for their control.
He commended the officers and men of the Tin-Can Island Port Command for detecting the shipment despite efforts to conceal the firearms.
The NCS boss reiterated that the Customs Service would continue to strengthen its risk management systems and work closely with sister security agencies to prevent the nation’s ports, borders and airports from being used for the illegal importation of firearms and other dangerous items.
Responding, the National Coordinator of the NCCSALW, Johnson Kokumo, disclosed that the Centre has received more than 21,000 Small Arms and Light Weapons from the Nigeria Customs Service since its establishment.
He added that more than 19,000 of the weapons had already been destroyed.
Kokumo described the handover of the 399 rifles as a significant step in the fight against the proliferation of illicit firearms and the protection of lives and property across the country.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs and officers of the Service for their continued cooperation with the NCCSALW in recovering illicit weapons during enforcement operations.
In his words, removing illicit weapons from the hands of non-state actors represents a direct blow to criminal networks and an important step towards safeguarding innocent citizens.
He assured that the firearms handed over to the Centre would be properly managed, documented and accounted for to ensure that they do not find their way back into the hands of criminal elements
He also disclosed that the NCCSALW would immediately catalogue, profile and document every weapon received during the handover.
The NCCSALW Chief revealed that serviceable weapons required for authorised state security use would be properly accounted for, while obsolete, illegal and unserviceable firearms would be destroyed in accordance with established procedures.
He further assured that the management of the weapons would be carried out in compliance with national legislation and relevant international and regional frameworks on the prevention and control of illicit small arms and light weapons.
The handover marked another significant collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NCCSALW in the fight against the illegal movement and proliferation of firearms in Nigeria.
The Suspects we learned have been charged to Court while investigations deepen.
In the same vein,, the Tin Can Island Customs Command added another major seizure of illicit cannabis-infused products.
According to Adeniyi, Customs officials uncovered Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-rolled products, gummies and cookies concealed among other imported goods in two 40-foot containers.
The seized products, according to Adeniyi were valued at approximately ₦373.8 million in street value.
The CG confirmed that the inventory and valuation of the items had been completed and that the consignment would be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary action under its statutory mandate.
He said the handover was consistent with the Service’s commitment to transparency, accountability and effective inter-agency cooperation in tackling the movement of prohibited drugs through Nigeria’s ports.
Adeniyi further disclosed that he was scheduled to join the Chairman of the NDLEA at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, for a programme involving the destruction of seized narcotic substances recovered by Customs, the NDLEA and other agencies after the completion of relevant investigations and legal processes.
Speaking earlier, the Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port Command, Joe A. Anani, while welcoming the CGC and other dignitaries described the handover as a demonstration of the shared responsibility of security agencies in protecting the country.
Anani reiterated that effective border management goes beyond mere seizure operations, but requires concerted cooperation among Customs, security agencies and regulatory institutions.
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