Nigeria Customs Service Takes Action On Seized Arms, Details Surface

• The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over a large cache of smuggled arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW)
• The number of the arms was not disclosed, but officials of the service confirmed that a total of 1,599 assorted firearms and 2,298 live cartridges were transferred to NCCSALW
• Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, February 13, Adewale Adeniyi, the comptroller-general of customs, said the event symbolises the commitment of the service to “proper disposal of arms”

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering security matters in Nigeria.

Ikeja, Lagos state - The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 1,599 assorted arms and 2,298 live cartridges to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).

The arms, seized in 2018 in three containers at the Tin Can Island Port, were officially handed over to the NCCSALW on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the headquarters of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone 'A', Ikeja, Lagos state.

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The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, stated that the handover ceremony demonstrates the NCS’ commitment to protecting national borders and maintaining public safety.

He said:

“We will spare no resource in hunting down, exposing, and prosecuting anyone who attempts to compromise our national security through arms trafficking."

Furthermore, the CGC applauded the professionalism and courage of officers involved in the seizures and the Forensics Unit for their role in securing convictions.

Nigeria Customs Service backs legitimate trade

At the event in Lagos state, CGC Adeniyi assured the public of the NCS’s commitment to protecting legitimate trade while ensuring national security.

His words:

“We stand ready to deploy our full arsenal of intelligence and enforcement capabilities to protect legitimate trade as we ensure Nigeria’s security interests remain paramount."

Nigerian agency pleased with customs

On his part, DIG Johnson Babatunde (Rtd), the director-general (DG) of NCCSALW, received the items on behalf of the national security adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. He assured that the weapons would be handled in accordance with international conventions.

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Babatunde said:

“Nigeria is a signatory to the ECOWAS Convention, and we will not do anything short of international best practice."

He ended his speech by encouraging all stakeholders to remain vigilant. He also asked people to continue collaborating to ensure the country remains resilient against the scourge of illicit weaponry.

Customs suspends implementation of 4% FOB charge

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the NCS suspended the enforcement of the 4 percent free-on-board value on imported goods.

Presidential aide Dada Olusegun shared a recent press release signed by the NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada. In the document, the NCS acknowledged the "strategic role" of stakeholders in establishing and implementing the NCS Act 2023.

Source: Legit.ng