The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has intercepted another shipment of arms at the Tin Can Island Port, seizing 204 pump-action rifles concealed among household goods.

This is coming barely three weeks after the Service intercepted knocked-down rifle components and cannabis-infused snacks at the same port.

Addressing journalists on Monday, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, DCG Timi Bomodi, said the arms were found in a 20-foot container declared as “used household items.”

According to him, the container arrived from Turkey aboard the vessel _MV Algeciras Express_ on August 16, 2026. It was flagged for examination two days later based on credible intelligence.

A 100% physical examination led to the discovery of the rifles hidden among furniture, refrigerators, solar panels and detergents.

Bomodi said Customs experts, working with officials of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, NCCSALW, assembled the components. They identified 204 MAS 49 ALTER MAGNUM pump-action rifles, along with spare parts including 54 barrels, 56 pistol grips, 56 trigger groups, 53 charging handles and other components.

The DCG noted discrepancies in the import documents, especially regarding the consignee’s identity, adding that investigations are ongoing to unravel those behind the shipment.

He recalled that during a visit to the port on August 18, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, had announced the earlier seizure of rifle parts which were later assembled into 399 pump-action rifles and handed over to NCCSALW.

“The current seizure is a further indication that the Service is maintaining heightened surveillance and intelligence-led enforcement against the illicit movement of firearms through our ports and borders,” Bomodi said.

He said the seized arms have been documented and will be handed over to NCCSALW for statutory action.

Bomodi stressed that Customs, in collaboration with ONSA and other security agencies, is not only intercepting illegal consignments but also tracing the networks behind them.

“Our objective is to expose the entire chain involved in the illicit movement of firearms, from the source and shipment to the intended destination and beneficiaries,” he added.

He urged clearing agents and members of the trading public with useful information to come forward.

Source: Nigeria Customs Service