By Edu Abade
The Nigeria Customs Service, has again, affirmed its commitment to its core mandate of protecting the nation’s borders through targeted anti-smuggling operations and intelligence-driven interventions across the country.
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, stated this during the handover of intercepted arms and ammunition to the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ in Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Adeniyi, who said the track record intercepting illegal arms and ammunition underscores the NCS’ frontline role in maintaining national security, maintained that the handover ceremony of seized arms to the NCCSALW exemplifies its active collaboration with stakeholders in ridding the country of illicit weapons and strengthening public safety.
His words: “In May 2018, the Service intercepted a significant cache of arms consisting of 440 pump action rifles and accessories, ingeniously concealed within 516 bags of Plaster of Paris (POP) cement in a 1x20ft container with number PONU210024/1.
“The seizure coincided with heightened security challenges from armed bandits in the North-West and illegal arms proliferation in the South-East, revealing the linkage between transnational smuggling networks and our domestic security challenges.
“Through sustained intelligence operations, we intercepted two additional containers-CMAU 189817/8 and GESU 255208/1 at Tin-Can Island Port, similarly concealing arms and ammunition among sanitary wares. Today’s handover encompasses a total of 1,599 assorted arms and 2,298 live cartridges recovered from these operations.”
He explained that following the seizure, the Service deployed forensic capabilities to conduct detailed electronic analysis of customs documentation and shipping records adding that through established diplomatic channels, the NCS partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the Turkish Embassy, leading to definitive identification of the purchasing company.
“The investigation trail, supported by financial records obtained through court orders, enabled us to establish the identities of those behind this illegal arms shipment. Through strategic inter-agency cooperation, particularly with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, we successfully prosecuted the case (Suit No: FHC/L/339C/2018) before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
“The defendants-Great James Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeuwa Moses Christ and Emeka Umeh Festus (AKA Amankwa)-were convicted on eight count charges. The prosecution success reinforces the Service’s zero-tolerance stance against arms trafficking and validates the effectiveness of our judicial collaboration. Our proven investigative and prosecutorial approach is currently being applied to recent seizures at the Port of Onne, where ongoing investigations continue to yield significant progress within established legal frameworks,” he stated.
Speaking further, Adeniyi noted that integrated strategy combining thorough investigation, decisive prosecution and successful conviction has proven effective in dismantling smuggling networks, stressing that the Service will spare no resources in hunting down, exposing and prosecuting anyone who attempts to compromise our national security through arms trafficking.
“We stand ready to deploy our full arsenal of intelligence and enforcement capabilities to protect legitimate trade while ensuring Nigeria’s security interests remain paramount.
“I salute the professionalism and courage of our officers who work tirelessly, often in challenging circumstances, to protect our borders. To our partner agencies for their support in this fight – your support has been instrumental in these achievements. Together, we continue to build formidable barriers against those who threaten our national security.
“The handover of these weapons to NCCSALW symbolizes the Service’s commitment to proper disposal of seized arms and highlights our resolve to rid our nation of illegal weapons. We will continue the ongoing collaborations with relevant authorities to strengthen our borders and protect our nation,” he concluded.
