AGAIN, TINCAN CUSTOMS THWARTS ANTICS OF ARMS SMUGGLING SYNDICATES, INTERCEPTS 204 PUMP ACTION RIFFLES EVIL SPOILS

DCG Bomodi displaying the seized Arms, Pump Action Riffles

The TinCan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service have continued to successfully display credible and high-tech level of intelligence profiling in the battle against smuggling, especially in taming activities of arm smugglers through  Nigerian seaport of its jurisdiction.

The command in quick succession has yet again on August 31^st, 2026 showcased another significant seizure of 204 MAS 49 ALTER MAGNUM pump-action rifles alongside various numbers of left-over components illegally imported firearms from Turkiye into Nigeria. The arm seizure showcase is said to be the third in series in this month of August 2026.

This revelation of the most recent seizure was made by Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DCG) Timi Bomodi, DCG Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, and the representative of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, who showcased the wanton and offensive seizure and as well handed them over to the Zonal Director South West Zone of the National Center for the control of Small Arms and Light Weapons – CP Abiodun Alamutu – PSC Rtd.

DCG Bomodi however stated that the seizure made by operatives of the Tincan Island Port Command was preceded by credible intelligence and sustained efforts to prevent the importation and circulation of illegally imported firearms into Nigeria.

He explained that the seizure was based on credible information on a 20-foot container with No. TEMU 184536/9, which arrived from Turkey aboard vessel MV Algeciras Express on 16 August 2026, and was flagged and subjected to a 100 percent physical examination on 18 August, 2026. He further said, after thorough examination, he continued, the container was found to contain knocked-down firearm components concealed among declared used goods, including furnitures, refrigerators, solar panels and detergent. He said that further discrepancies were also discovered in the consignment documents, particularly regarding the identity of the consignee. “These discrepancies are part of the ongoing investigation into the shipment and those connected to it”, he noted.

DCG Bomodi fielding questions from the media, while Comptroller Anani looks on

The Command according to him immediately put together a team of experts from the Nigeria Customs Service Armament Unit and that of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Lights weapons, under the Office of the National Security Adviser, to carry out the assembling of these component parts and a total of 204 MAS 49 ALTER MAGNUM pump-action rifles alongside various numbers of left-over components were uncovered.

Bomodi noted that the current seizure is a further indication that the Service is maintaining heightened surveillance and intelligence-led enforcement against the illicit movement of firearms through our ports and borders, as he pointed that the operation underscores the importance of intelligence-sharing and collaboration between the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.

He also recalled on the 18th August 2026, when the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD MFR psc (+) paid a working visit to this Command, during which he briefed members of the press on the landmark interception of knocked-down components of firearms, noting that those firearm components were subsequently assembled into 399 pump-action rifles, and were officially handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

“This whole of Government approach to the menace of Arms smuggling and other criminal activities at our ports and borders has proven to be very effective as attested to by this seizure.8. Let me use this opportunity to reiterate the warning of the CGC to smugglers, arms traffickers and their collaborators that illegal arms will not find its way to the wrong end of the value chain and the space for concealment is becoming increasingly limited.

Some of the Seized Riffles

“Our risk management system is very robust and effective, there are no weak links in our architecture, so, those who believe that firearms can be disguised as household goods, concealed in containers or imported through false or inconsistent documentation should understand that intelligence-led enforcement, technological tools, profiling and inter-agency collaboration are making such schemes increasingly difficult to execute.”

He however said that the Service will continue to collaborate with all relevant authorities to identify, intercept and investigate consignments that pose a threat to national security. “We will also pursue the networks behind such consignments and not merely focus on the physical seizure of the prohibited items”, Bomodi stated.

Comptroller Joseph Anani, the TinCan Island Portd Customs Area Controller on whose watch the seizures were made, pointed that, the TinCan Port command under his management have continued to remain vigilant in the discharge of her responsibilities.

“Indeed, this is not the first time this month that we are coming together for an exercise of this nature. We have witnessed similar handovers, including the recent occasion when the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, handed over seized items to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons and illicit drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. These repeated seizures send a clear message: the TinCan Island Port Command will not be a weak link in the enforcement of import prohibitions, particularly when it concerns dangerous items capable of threatening the peace and security of our nation.

Compt-Joseph-Anani-CAC-TinCan-Command-NCS-

Those who see our ports as an easy route for bringing prohibited and dangerous items into Nigeria should understand that they will not find a willing partner in the Nigeria Customs Service. I would like to sincerely appreciate our Comptroller-General for his leadership, encouragement and unwavering support to the Command. His commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and securing our borders continues to inspire us.

He particularly acknowledged the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons whose consistent collaboration has gone beyond mere words. “Our armament units worked together, spending countless hours carefully coupling and assembling the knocked-down parts of these firearms to establish exactly what had been intercepted”, he said. Anani also commended officers and men of the TinCan Island Port Command for their vigilance, courage and dedication which have made the seizures possible. “Behind every interception is an officer who has taken a decision to do the right thing, sometimes under difficult circumstances’, Anani stated.

Present at the hand over event include, the Zonal Coordinator Nigeria Customs Service Zone A, ACG Mohamed Babandede, the Representative of the Port Manager – The Port Security Officer Mr. Fatai, some Customs Area Controllers, the Commander, NDLEA, Tincan Island Strategic Command, Commander of narcotics – Solomon Omotosho, The representative of the Commissioner of Police, Western Port Police Command, Director State Security Service, Tincan Island Port Senior officers Distinguished, and members of the media.