The Nigeria Customs Service has seized 603 pump-action rifles in two operations at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, amid concerns over illicit arms trafficking ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The seizures comprised 399 Jojef rifles recovered from one consignment and 204 MAS 49 ALTER MAGNUM rifles intercepted in a separate operation in August.
The development comes ahead of the 2027 polls, with the Independent National Electoral Commission fixing January 16, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and February 6 for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The first consignment arrived aboard MV Velika on July 8 and was flagged by the Customs risk-management system. Examination uncovered dismantled firearm components which, after reassembly, yielded 399 Jojef rifles and 535 additional parts.
The components included 89 frames, 80 charging handles, 57 trigger groups and 25 locking lugs. Customs arrested an importer and a female clearing agent and handed the weapons to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
The second consignment, imported from Turkey aboard MV Algeciras Express, arrived on August 16 and was subjected to a 100 per cent physical examination on August 18 following intelligence-led profiling.
The dismantled rifles were concealed among declared household goods, including furniture, refrigerators, solar panels and detergent. Customs and NCCSALW officials recovered 204 rifles and additional firearm components. The weapons were handed over on August 31.
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Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has warned that criminal networks could exploit Nigeria’s ports, airports and borders to move prohibited weapons during the election cycle.
He said Customs would intensify intelligence gathering and surveillance while urging Nigerians to provide information capable of disrupting arms-trafficking networks.
The latest seizures follow a major interception at Onne Port, Rivers State, in June 2024, when Customs recovered 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition from a 40-foot container originating from Turkey. Three suspects were detained.
The recurring seizures have prompted calls for authorities to investigate the wider supply chains behind illicit arms imports.
The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre urged a full investigation into the latest shipment, while Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise chief executive, Muda Yusuf, warned that repeated firearms imports could heighten fears of electoral violence and undermine investor confidence.
Maritime expert Okey Ibeke called for the identification of the weapons’ sources, financiers and intended recipients, as well as investigations into possible undetected consignments.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the seizures have renewed pressure on security agencies to tighten controls at Nigeria’s ports and borders and prevent illicit firearms from entering circulation.