The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a significant cache of arms and ammunition smuggled into the country. The exact value of the seized items has not yet been disclosed.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, is currently in Lagos to address journalists at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ in Ikeja regarding this development.
This seizure underscores the NCS’s ongoing efforts to curb the illegal importation of firearms into Nigeria. In a notable operation in July 2024, the NCS confirmed the seizure of 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition at the Rivers port. These items were concealed within various goods, including doors, furniture, and plumbing fittings.
Between 2018 and 2024, the NCS intercepted 10,598 arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition, with an estimated duty-paid value of N9.58 billion. Notably, 60% of these seizures occurred within the past year, highlighting the service’s intensified efforts against smuggling activities.
The NCS remains committed to collaborating with domestic and international partners to combat the illegal arms trade and ensure the safety and security of Nigeria.
