Customs Uncovers 399 Jojef Rifles, Other Arms Parts at Tin Can Port
By Chibuzo Obidike
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has uncovered 399 fully assembled Jojef firearms and a large cache of additional rifle components following the completion of the examination of a seized shipment at the Tin Can Island Port Command in Lagos.
The latest discovery followed the interception of a container containing concealed crates of knocked down components initially suspected to be parts of Jojef pump action rifles.
The detailed examination and coupling of the seized shipment, completed on Sunday, August 9, 2026, revealed the fully assembled firearms alongside several additional weapons components.
Among the recovered parts are 89 frames, 16 heat shields, 10 trigger pins, three pistons, 25 locking lugs, 80 charging handles, 39 pistol grip screws, 34 springs and 57 trigger groups.
Others include 66 foregrip latches, 45 foregrips or handguards, four pistol grips and five barrels.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, had earlier disclosed the seizure on Thursday, August 6, warning that criminal networks could attempt to exploit Nigeria’s borders, ports and airports to move prohibited items into the country, particularly as the nation approaches another election cycle.
Adeniyi said the Customs Service would intensify surveillance and enforcement operations to prevent the movement of illicit arms and other prohibited items.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Service to intelligence led enforcement, stronger border surveillance and collaboration with other security agencies.
The Customs boss said the Service was working with the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, NCCSALW, under the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, to identify and dismantle arms trafficking networks.
Following the completion of the inventory and assessment of the seized shipment, the NCS is expected to hand over the recovered firearms and components to the NCCSALW.
The development represents a significant seizure in the fight against illegal arms trafficking and raises fresh concerns about attempts by criminal networks to move prohibited weapons through Nigeria’s ports.
