… Adeniyi Warns Smugglers Ahead of Election Season, Vows Zero Tolerance for Complicity
By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its anti-smuggling operations with the interception of a container concealing components of more than 140 pump-action rifles and the seizure of cannabis-infused products worth ₦373.8 million at the Tincan Island Port Command, Lagos.
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures at the port on Thursday, August 6, 2026, saying the operations were products of the Service’s intelligence-driven enforcement strategy and enhanced risk-profiling system.
According to Adeniyi, the container conveying the suspected arms components arrived aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, but was flagged for enhanced monitoring by the Customs intelligence and risk-management system.
A thorough examination of the container subsequently uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as parts of JoJeff pump-action rifles.
The CGC disclosed that investigations into the seizure had led to the arrest of two suspects, while another principal suspect remained at large and was being actively tracked by security operatives.
In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers conveying cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and pre-roll products concealed alongside used vehicles, generators, batteries and other imported goods.
The seized items comprised 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, with a combined street value of ₦373,802,640.
Adeniyi said the interceptions demonstrated the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks exploiting legitimate trade channels to smuggle prohibited weapons and narcotics into Nigeria.
He said the successful operations also underscored the effectiveness of the Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy, advanced risk-profiling systems and collaboration with sister security agencies.
The Customs boss, however, warned that criminal elements could attempt to exploit Nigeria’s borders, ports and airports as the country enters another major election cycle.
“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 Customs personnel against compromising their duties or aiding the activities of criminal networks, stressing that the Service would not harbour officers who facilitate the importation of items capable of threatening national security and the peaceful conduct of elections.
“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 stated.
Adeniyi urged members of the public to provide credible intelligence to security agencies to strengthen ongoing efforts against smuggling, arms trafficking and organised crime.
He commended officers of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance and professionalism, assuring that the Service would continue to identify, arrest and prosecute persons connected to criminal networks.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to safeguarding the nation’s borders, preventing the movement of prohibited goods and facilitating legitimate international trade.
