The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, on Monday handed over 399 seized firearms to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).

Mr Adeniyi said officials seized the firearms while inspecting and documenting a consignment at Tincan Island Port, Lagos.                                                                                                       

He said the firearms were presented to the centre to ensure proper custody and accountability under national security laws.

The comptroller-general said the 399 rifles included assorted component parts: 89 frames, 80 charging handles, 579 trigger groups, and 25 locking lugs. 

“The service has completed inspection and documentation of the consignment intercepted at the port. 

“The seizure was made possible through the trade modernisation system and improved risk management tools. 

“Technology has now made it possible for customs personnel to identify high-risk containers without examining every shipment manually,” the CGC said.

He said two suspects linked to the consignment were arrested and remanded by a Federal Court in Lagos.

Mr Adeniyi added that the NCCSALW would now manage the firearms under the National Security Adviser’s office.

He stressed that customs would not allow Nigerian borders to be used to import arms or other dangerous goods.

He commended the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joseph Anani, and officers at the Tincan Island Port for their diligence, and urged all personnel to remain vigilant across all commands.

The comptroller general of customs warned that any officer found compromising the system would face disciplinary action.

He also acknowledged the cooperation of other security agencies and international partners in combating arms trafficking.

“The service remains committed to protecting the nation’s borders and supporting the government’s efforts on national security.

“Our prayer is that Nigeria will continue to be at peace and in prosperity,” Mr Adeniyi said.

Babatunde Kokumo, director-general of NCCSALW, said the centre received 399 seized illicit weapons and two suspects from the Nigeria Customs Service at Tincan Island Port.

Mr Kokumo commended the customs’ role in arms recovery and Mr Adeniyi for his leadership and continuous collaboration in recovering illicit arms and curbing proliferation nationwide.

He said illegal arms drove terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

He added that over 21,000 weapons had been retrieved and 19,000 destroyed since NCCSALW’s establishment.

He said that four suspects faced prosecution, while the weapons had been catalogued.

Referencing 2024 seizures at Lagos Airport and Onne Port, Mr Kokumo said that the suspects were in detention and undergoing prosecution. He noted that NCCSALW would catalogue, profile and destroy unserviceable weapons.

Mr Kokumo called for synergy in arms control and urged inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing and civil disarmament.

He thanked the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the customs service, pledging strict accountability in line with national and international laws.

Joseph Anani, the Customs Area Controller, Tincan Island Command, said arms control required strong collaboration among all security agencies and strict adherence to the law in managing and accounting for seized items.

Mr Anani commended the NCCSALW for its partnership and expressed confidence that their cooperation would yield positive results in national security.

He reaffirmed customs’ commitment to supporting the federal government in combating the illicit movement of small arms and light weapons into the country. 

(NAN)