The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has uncovered 399 fully assembled Jojef firearms and a large quantity of additional rifle components seized at the Tin Can Island Port Command.
The development follows the disclosure by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, that the Service had intercepted a container containing concealed crates of knocked-down components preliminarily identified as Jojef pump-action rifles.
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The Customs Service said, that it had completed the coupling and detailed examination of the seized items, which confirmed 399 fully assembled firearms.
Other components recovered from the shipment include 89 frames, 16 heat shields, 10 trigger pins, three pistons, 25 locking lugs, 80 charging handles, 39 pistol-grip screws, 34 springs, 57 trigger groups, 66 foregrip latches, 45 foregrips or handguards, four pistol grips and five barrels.
Speaking earlier on the seizure, the Comptroller-General warned that criminal networks could attempt to exploit Nigeria’s borders, ports and airports to move prohibited items into the country ahead of the next general elections.
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Adeniyi said the Service would intensify surveillance and enforcement operations to prevent the movement of illicit weapons and other prohibited items.
He reaffirmed the NCS commitment to intelligence-led enforcement, stronger border surveillance and collaboration with sister security agencies to disrupt arms trafficking networks.
The Comptroller-General specifically highlighted collaboration with the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), under the Office of the National Security Adviser, to strengthen efforts against the illegal movement of firearms.
Adeniyi said the Customs Service was preparing to hand over the seized firearms and components to the NCCSALW after the completion of the inventory and assessment.
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He said the move highlights the commitment of relevant security agencies to remove illicit weapons from circulation and ensure that those responsible for the trafficking are identified and brought to justice.