The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially handed over 1,599 assorted firearms and 2,298 live cartridges to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).

During the handover ceremony in Lagos, Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, revealed that some of the importers of the intercepted weapons have been convicted, while others are still facing legal proceedings. He also confirmed that 11 suspects linked to the arms trafficking network have been transferred for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Adeniyi emphasized that the NCS remains committed to securing Nigeria’s borders through intelligence-driven operations and targeted anti-smuggling efforts.

The Comptroller General highlighted Customs’ critical role in national security, noting that the agency has been instrumental in intercepting illegal arms and ammunition.

Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, NCCSALW Director General Johnson Kokumo commended the collaborative efforts between the NCS and other security agencies. He reiterated the government’s commitment to preventing the proliferation of illicit weapons in the country.

This is not the first time the NCS has intercepted illegal arms shipments. In May 2018, Customs officers at Tin Can Island Port discovered 440 pump-action rifles concealed in 516 bags of Plaster of Paris (POP) cement. Further investigations led to the seizure of two additional containers filled with weapons hidden among sanitary wares.

The latest handover, which took place on February 13, 2025, underscores ongoing efforts to curb arms smuggling and enhance national security.