NCS Tincan Island Command Hands over 204 Pump-Action Rifles, other Components to NCCSALW

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Tincan Island Port Command has transferred approximately 204 pump-action firearms and associated components to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). This event took place in Lagos following the discovery of these items during a recent seizure. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale, revealed that the seizure of 204 MAS 49 ALTER MAGNUM pump-action rifles and supplementary parts was prompted by credible intelligence and proactive measures to curb the illicit importation of firearms into Nigeria.

The container, flagged as TEMU 184536/9 arriving from Turkey on August 16, 2026, was scrutinized on August 18, 2026, and was found to contain concealed firearm parts disguised among legitimate goods such as furniture, refrigerators, solar panels, and detergent. Additional discrepancies in the consignment documents, particularly concerning the consignee's identity, are under investigation.

The seized components include 204 rifles and other parts like trigger pins, locking lugs, charging handles, pistol grip screws, springs, trigger groups, forward grips, forward grip latches, pistol grips, barrels, and two U-plates. Adewale emphasized the collaborative efforts between the National Security Adviser's Office, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies, stressing that the government's approach to curbing arms smuggling has been effective.

He cautioned smugglers and traffickers against the increasing difficulty of concealing firearms and reiterated the service's commitment to robust risk management, technological tools, and inter-agency collaboration to intercept and investigate suspicious consignments.