CUSTOMS SUBMITS SEIZED ARMS, AMMUNITIONS TO ARMS CONTROL CENTER
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BY JENN NOMAMIUKOR
The Nigeria Customs Service, through Port and Terminal Multi services Limited, has given over seized weapons and bullets to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light weapons. In a statement on Friday, the command said that illegal items were found during checks of imported vehicles on 25 separate occasions between 2022 and 2025.
They also mentioned that this action shows their continued focus on securing borders, making trade easier, and working with other agencies.
At the handing over event, the Customs Area Controller, Joe Anani, who is in charge of the command, said the operation shows the Service’s strong stance against smuggling and its determination to make sure only legal trade happens in Nigeria.
Anani said the handover happened with the okay from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who led the efforts to find these items.
He mentioned the things handed over included five pistols from different brands, one Crossman Pump Master rifle, 132 live Remington cartridges, 51 rounds of 9mm Luger bullets, four 9mm magazines, 40 rounds of mixed 9mm and blank or hollow ammunition, and 118 empty 9mm shell casings.
Anani explained that the weapons and bullets were found on 25 separate occasions while checking imported cars between 2022 and 2025.
He said the seizures happened because of constant watchfulness and working together with other security groups at the port.
Anani said the area is still off–limits for any illegal trade activities.
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The head of customs at PTML also mentioned that the command is focused on following the Revised Kyoto Convention, a plan made by the World Customs Organisation that helps to make trade easier while keeping strong control over regulations.
Anani also talked about the effect of the Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation Project. He said that using the Unified Customs Management System, called BâOdogwu, has made things more efficient at the command level.
He mentioned that PTML will soon get cargo scanners, which will help them find hidden items like weapons and ammunition better.
When it comes to the command‘s money collected, Anani said that with just two days left in January 2026, they had already made N44.06bn.
That’s more than the N40.50bn they collected in January 2025, which is an increase of N3.56bn, or 8.8 per cent.
He praised the people who follow the rules and work with the command, calling them important partners in their success.
“On behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, I hereby formally hand over these seizures to the NCCSALW for appropriate action,” Anani said.
The seized arms were handed over to the South West Zonal Coordinator, NCCSALW, CP Mustapha Abiodun Alamutu (Rtd).
Illegal arms importation in Nigeria refers to the smuggling of small arms and light weapons into the country without authorization.
These weapons often enter through seaports, land borders, inland waterways, and unapproved routes, exploiting gaps in border security and port controls.
The NCS plays a critical role in curbing illegal arms importation by strengthening cargo examination, intelligence gathering, and border surveillance across seaports, airports, and land borders.
Through risk profiling, non-intrusive inspection equipment, and joint operations with other security agencies, Customs intercepts concealed arms and ammunition before they enter circulation.
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