CUSTOMS TCIP COMMAND SEIZES CACHES OF ARMS, CANNABIS INDICA, OTHERS

The arms and drugs on display.

Story by Dili Utomi

The mood, Thursday evening at the sccaning area of the Tin Can Island Port Command, Nigeria Customs Service was somewhat sombre. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi was at the Command for the display of caches of arms hidden in a container and two other containers with lots of Cannabis Indica hidden inside.

Comptroller Joseph Anani, the head man at the Command welcomed those present as the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Zone A, Mohammed Babandede lamented the consistent attempt by illegal traders at compromising national security, but also commended the eagle-eyed agencies for their efforts at nipping a lot of the attempts in the bud as was exhibited there in the particular seizure.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi also appreciated everyone present for coming to the briefing at a very short notice.

Today, he said “I want to present verified facts on the interception of a container conveying concealed parts of pump-action rifles, alongside the seizure of two 40-foot containers laden with cannabis-infused products concealed among imported goods. These operations underscore our unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders from prohibited imports that threaten national security and public health”.

The cache of of arms which were obviously smuggled in from the East European country of Georgia was disassembled and hidden in many different cartons to disguise their forms.

In CG Adeniyi’s words “On 8 July 2026, Container No. TEMU 184536/9 arrived at Tin Can Island Port aboard MV VELIKA and was flagged through our intelligence-driven risk management system for enhanced monitoring. Acting on credible intelligence, officers placed the container under surveillance and subsequently subjected it to a detailed physical examination at the Customs Enforcement Station”.

He noted that the examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles, which are currently undergoing detailed technical examination and inventory to determine the exact quantity and configuration recovered. At least 140 pieces of the pump action rifles were assembled as samples to be viewed by the journalists present.

The CG explained that the investigations extended beyond the seizure. On 31 July 2026, he noted, one suspect was arrested at Migfo Bonded Terminal while attempting to facilitate the release of the container. Documentary evidence, financial records, and telecommunications analysis established his connection with the named consignee, including a ₦10,000 payment received from a company account linked to the consignee on the day of his arrest. Two suspects are currently in custody assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively pursued.

CG Adeniyi and his lieutenants with some of the seized items.

Another enforcement operation yielded two 40-foot containers conveying illicit cannabis-infused products concealed alongside two used vehicles, two used pumping generators, rolls of blue polypropylene spunbond fabric, new tubular batteries, and thunder arrester cables.

The seizures include:
109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies (8,720 pieces; 17.44kg) valued at ₦308,792,640. 125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies (740 packs; 515.2kg) valued at ₦40,700,000. 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies (442 packs; 309.4kg) valued at ₦24,310,000. The combined street value of all illicit substances seized is ₦373,802,640.

CG Adeniyi is alarmed that “These interceptions demonstrate the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks that exploit legitimate trade channels to traffic illicit weapons and dangerous narcotic products” Though he also affirms that “they also reaffirm the effectiveness of the Nigeria Customs Service’s intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling systems, and strong inter-agency collaboration”.

He was emphatic that the NCS will stop at nothing to identify, track, arrest, and prosecute every individual connected to these criminal enterprises. Nigeria’s ports, he noted will never be safe havens for the trafficking of illicit weapons, narcotics, or other prohibited goods.

CG Adeniyi with some of the seized rifles.

The handover of the drugs components of the seizure to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was performed as the CG used the opportunity to commend the NDLEA for the wonderful collaboration between the two sister agencies. He said that the NCS has handed the case file over to the agency and that whenever the NDLEA is ready for the destruction of the seized drugs, the NCS is usually called to witness the destruction of the drugs.

The Tin Can Island Port deputy strategic Commander of the NDLEA is Commander of Narcotics Sunday Augustine Adewunmi who received the seized drugs. He stressed the imperative nature of constant collaboration between the agencies working within the Ports.

Commander Adewunmi said of the seized cookies “These items have been so carefully packaged to look attractive with different flavours and colours and they are usually served at parties and clubs for unsuspecting users to get hooked on them after eating. We should all be very careful with what we consume”. He concluded.

CG Adeniyi commended the officers and men of the Tin Can Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance, professionalism and dedication, which made the significant seizures possible. He also appreciates the continued support of all sister security and law enforcement agencies in safeguarding the nation. He noted that the Service remains resolute in securing Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the importation of prohibited and dangerous goods.

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