Customs Seize 399 Rifles, Arrest Importer and Agent

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) arrested an importer and a female clearing agent for allegedly importing 399 Jojef pump-action rifles illegally through the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. The arrest was disclosed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, during a handover ceremony of the seized firearms to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).

The container carrying the weapons arrived on July 8 aboard the vessel MV Velika and was flagged for inspection by the Customs risk management system. The firearms were dismantled and concealed to evade detection, with the examination revealing 399 fully assembled rifles and 535 assorted firearm components.

One suspect was arrested on July 31 while attempting to procure the container's release. Both suspects have been remanded by the Federal High Court in Lagos, with their arraignment set for August 25.

Adeniyi emphasized the role of technology in identifying high-risk consignments and warned against the illegal importation of firearms.