The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered 399 fully assembled Jojef firearms at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, in what authorities described as a major breakthrough in the fight against the illegal importation and proliferation of arms in Nigeria.
The discovery was made after Customs officers completed a detailed examination and coupling of a suspicious shipment intercepted at the port.
According to the NCS, the consignment contained the 399 assembled firearms, alongside hundreds of additional rifle components.
The seizure has renewed concerns among security authorities over attempts by criminal networks and arms traffickers to exploit Nigeria’s busy seaports to bring weapons into the country.
The Customs investigation reportedly identified a significant quantity of rifle parts, including frames, heat shields, trigger groups and barrels.
Reports indicate that a total of 535 supplementary rifle components were also recovered during the examination of the shipment
The scale of the discovery is particularly significant given Nigeria’s continuing battle against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in several parts of the country.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that the uncontrolled movement of firearms can increase the capacity of criminal groups and fuel violence.
The NCS said the operation demonstrates the importance of intelligence-led Customs enforcement and closer cooperation among security and law-enforcement agencies.
The seizure also highlights the strategic importance of the Tin Can Island Port, one of Nigeria’s major maritime gateways through which large volumes of goods enter the country.
Customs authorities have increasingly relied on intelligence gathering, cargo profiling and physical examination to identify prohibited or suspicious consignments.
The latest discovery follows previous seizures of arms at the same port. In February 2025, the NCS handed over more than 1,599 assorted firearms and 2,298 live cartridges previously seized from three containers at Tin Can Island Port to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Meanwhile, the latest investigation has moved into the judicial process. A Federal High Court in Lagos reportedly ordered the remand of two men, identified as Ejiogu Godson and Robert Eze, for 15 days in connection with the intercepted shipment. The order followed an application by the Customs Service through its Legal Services Department at Tin Can Island, Apapa.
Authorities are expected to continue investigating the origin of the firearms, the intended destination and the individuals or organisations allegedly behind the shipment.
The seizure is being viewed as a major intervention against arms trafficking, particularly at a time when the Nigerian government is intensifying efforts to curb the availability of illegal weapons.
For the Customs Service, the discovery reinforces its position that ports and borders remain critical fronts in Nigeria’s national security campaign.
The agency is expected to work with other security bodies to trace the network behind the consignment and prevent similar shipments from reaching the Nigerian market.
