In a decisive move to curb the proliferation of illicit arms, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over a staggering 3,897 seized arms and rounds of ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). The highly anticipated transfer, which took place on Thursday, underscores the government’s intensified efforts to combat arms trafficking and bolster national security.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, revealed that the cache included 1,599 assorted firearms and 2,298 live cartridges—all intercepted between 2018 and 2024. The seizures, he explained, reflect the NCS’s unwavering commitment to disrupting the influx of illegal weapons that fuel violence across the country.
Adeniyi recalled one of the most significant busts in May 2018, when 440 pump-action rifles and accessories were intercepted, cleverly concealed inside 516 bags of plaster of Paris cement in a 20-foot container (PONU 210024/1). Subsequent intelligence-driven operations led to the discovery of two additional containers—CMAU 189817/8 and GESU 255208/1—at the Tincan Island Port, both loaded with concealed arms and ammunition among sanitary wares.
“Today’s handover encompasses 1,599 assorted firearms and 2,298 live cartridges, which were confiscated in multiple operations over the years,” Adeniyi stated.
Beyond the seizures, the NCS deployed advanced forensic techniques and diplomatic intelligence to track the origins of these illicit shipments. Adeniyi disclosed that Customs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, engaged Turkish authorities, leading to the identification of the purchasing company behind the smuggling ring.
“Through extensive financial investigations and court-ordered access to records, we successfully identified the individuals financing these illegal arms shipments and ensured they faced justice,” he said. The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation played a pivotal role in prosecuting the culprits, reinforcing the government’s zero-tolerance stance on arms trafficking.
The handover event was attended by top security officials, including National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who commended the synergy between the NSA’s Office and Nigeria’s 16 arms-bearing agencies. Represented by Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (DIG Rtd), Director-General of the NCCSALW, Ribadu lauded the Customs Service for its unrelenting efforts in intercepting illicit weapons.
“I recall with pride the notable July 2024 arms bust, where the NCS intercepted 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition at Onne Port, Port Harcourt. These weapons were immediately confiscated, and the key actors behind the smuggling attempt were apprehended,” Ribadu remarked.
The NCCSALW, established in 2021, has led multi-agency efforts to curb the spread of small arms and light weapons. Ribadu affirmed that the Centre remains committed to permanently removing illicit arms from circulation in accordance with international conventions and security best practices.
By implementing robust tracking, seizure, and destruction protocols, the Centre strengthens Nigeria’s national security while aligning with global initiatives to combat the illicit arms trade.
This monumental handover serves as a stark warning to arms traffickers and reaffirms the Nigerian government’s unyielding commitment to safeguarding lives and ensuring national stability.
PIONEER NEWS 