Compt Anani’s Men intensive Surveillance: 140 Double-Barrel Pump-Action Rifles Ccontainer Seized
By Ovie Edomi
For Comptroller Joe Anani, it was a mission accomplished after the intensive surveillance period and a major breakthrough followed. That was the situation recently when the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted a 20-foot container conveying concealed parts of pump-action rifles and two 40-foot containers laden with cannabis-infused products hidden among imported goods at the Tin Can Island Port.
According to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, a Container No. TEMU 184536/9, which arrived aboard MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026, was flagged by the Service’s intelligence-based risk management system and placed under intensive surveillance before undergoing a detailed physical examination at the Customs Enforcement Station. The examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles.The total number has not yet been determined, but 140 double-barrel pump-action rifles had been reassembled from the container as at the time of addressing the press.
Adewale Adeniyi, the nation’s number one Customs boss however disclosed that the recovered firearm components are currently undergoing comprehensive technical examination and inventory to determine their exact quantity and configuration. Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who paraded the seizures before journalists said investigations into both seizures have led to the arrest of two suspects. He added that the principal importer of the firearms remains at large.
Adeniyi further revealed that documentary evidence, financial records and telecommunications analysis established the suspect’s connection with the named consignee, including a ₦10,000 payment traced to a company account linked to the consignee on the day of the arrest.
According to the CGC, two suspects are currently in Customs custody assisting investigators, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively tracked by security operatives.
In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers conveying cannabis-infused products cleverly concealed alongside two used vehicles, two used pumping generators, rolls of blue polypropylene spunbond fabric, new tubular batteries and thunder arrester cables.
The seized narcotic products include:
109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies containing 8,720 pieces, weighing 17.44kg, with a street value of ₦308,792,640.
125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies comprising 740 packs, weighing 515.2kg, valued at ₦40,700,000.
Others are 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies comprising 442 packs, weighing 309.4kg, with a street value of ₦24,310,000.
The total street value of the intercepted cannabis-infused products was put at ₦373,802,640.
Adeniyi noted that the interceptions demonstrate the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks exploiting legitimate international trade channels to smuggle illicit arms and narcotic substances into Nigeria.
He said the successful interceptions also validate the effectiveness of the Nigeria Customs Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling systems and robust collaboration with sister security and law enforcement agencies. He reaffirmed the Service’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks engaged in smuggling, stressing that every individual connected to the illegal operations would be identified, apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law. According to Adeniyi “Nigeria’s ports will never serve as safe havens for the trafficking of illicit weapons, narcotics or other prohibited goods. ”
The CGC commended officers and men of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance, professionalism and dedication, which culminated in the successful interceptions.He also acknowledged the continued support of sister security and law enforcement agencies in safeguarding the nation’s borders.
Adeniyi while reassuring Nigerians of the Service’s commitment to its statutory mandate, noted that the Nigeria Customs Service would remain resolute in securing the nation’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the importation of prohibited and dangerous goods into Nigeria.
He equally promised to keep Nigerians informed as investigations progress and the prosecution of the suspects begins.
For now, Anani is expected to deliver more major breakthroughs as part of his strategic intelligence-led enforcement strategy, advanced risk profiling systems and robust collaboration.
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