February 13, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday handed over 3,897 intercepted arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, as part of efforts to curb the proliferation of illicit weapons in the country.
The seized weapons, intercepted at various seaports and land borders between 2018 and 2024, comprised 1,599 arms and 2,298 rounds of ammunition.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ in Ikeja, Lagos, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the seizures were made through intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration.
He recalled that in 2018, the Service intercepted 440 pump-action rifles concealed within 516 bags of plaster of Paris in a 20ft container with registration number PONU 210024/1. Similarly, two other containers, CMAU 189817/8 and GESU 255208/1, loaded with arms and ammunition, were seized at the Tincan Island Port.
Adeniyi disclosed that forensic analysis of shipping records, coupled with diplomatic engagement with Turkish authorities, led to the identification of the purchasing company behind the illegal shipments.
“The investigation, supported by financial records obtained through court orders, enabled us to establish the identities of those responsible for these illicit arms imports,” he said.
Commending the NCS for its efforts, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, described the agency’s role as crucial in combating the illegal arms trade.
Ribadu, represented by the Director-General of NCCSALW, Deputy Inspector General of Police (retd.), Babatunde Kokumo, cited the major arms bust of July 2024, when Customs officers intercepted 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition at Onne Port in Rivers State.
He assured that the intercepted arms would be permanently removed from circulation in line with international best practices.
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