Customs uncover 399 rifles at Tincan Island Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of 399 fully assembled Jojef pump-action rifles at Tincan Island Port, alongside a substantial quantity of rifle parts, according to Punch Nigeria. The National Public Relations Officer, Abdullah Maiwada, emphasized that this seizure is a significant setback to efforts aimed at curbing illegal arms trafficking in the country.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the container was intercepted on August 6, 2026, containing knocked-down components of the firearms. The additional parts recovered include various rifle components essential for assembly, such as frames, heat shields, trigger pins, and more. Adeniyi warned that criminal networks might attempt to exploit Nigeria's borders, ports, and airports in the lead-up to the upcoming general elections to smuggle prohibited items into the country, urging intensified surveillance and enforcement operations.

The NCS is committed to intelligence-led enforcement, enhanced border surveillance, and collaboration with other security agencies, including the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, to dismantle trafficking networks and safeguard national security.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria's own syndicated text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.