Adeniyi: Criminals won’t exploit Nigeria’s borders ahead of elections

...As Customs siezes 140-rifle components, others

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has warned criminal networks against attempting to exploit Nigeria’s ports, borders and airports to move arms, narcotics and other prohibited items into the country ahead of the forthcoming election cycle.

Adeniyi issued the warning in Lagos on Thursday, August 6, 2026, while announcing the interception of components of more than 140 pump-action rifles and cannabis-infused products worth ₦373.8 million by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Tincan Island Port Command.

He said the seizures underscored the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks and the need for heightened vigilance as the country approaches another major election period.

“We are about entering a major election cycle and we know that by this period, men of the underworld will want to use our borders, our ports, our airports to bring in items like this. We are going to redouble our efforts to ensure that we do not allow them to do so,” Adeniyi said.

The CGC disclosed that the container containing the suspected rifle components arrived aboard MV VELIKA on July 8 and was flagged for enhanced scrutiny through the NCS intelligence-driven risk management system.

A subsequent examination uncovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as JoJeff pump-action rifles. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being tracked.

In a separate operation, Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers conveying cannabis-infused products concealed alongside used vehicles, generators, batteries and other imported goods.

The seizures comprised 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies, 125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies and 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies, with a combined street value of ₦373,802,640.

Adeniyi said the interceptions demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led enforcement, advanced risk profiling and collaboration with sister security agencies in preventing criminal exploitation of legitimate trade channels.

He also issued a strong warning against internal compromise within the Customs Service, saying officers who facilitate the importation of items capable of threatening national security would not be protected.

“The Nigeria Customs Service will not harbour any of these people who want to serve as accomplices or use their position to influence the importation of goods that will threaten our peace and security and the peaceful conduct of the next general election,” he said.

The CGC urged members of the public to provide credible intelligence to assist the Service and other security agencies in disrupting smuggling networks.

He commended officers of the Tincan Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for their vigilance and professionalism, assuring Nigerians that the Service would continue to strengthen surveillance and risk-management measures across the country’s trade corridors.

Adeniyi said the NCS remained committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing criminal elements from using the country’s ports, borders and airports to undermine national security and the peaceful conduct of elections.