Customs Hands Over Intercepted Weaponry to Arms Control Regulators
Customs Hands Over Intercepted Weaponry to Arms Control Regulators
The Nigeria Customs Service, PTML Command, has officially handed over a cache of seized arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
The ceremony, held on Friday, marks a critical step in federal efforts to curb the spread of illegal weaponry. The items were received by the South West Zonal Coordinator, CP Mustapha Abiodun Alamutu (Rtd).
These seizures resulted from meticulous operations conducted between 2022 and 2025. During this window, Customs officers intercepted contraband on 25 separate occasions while examining imported vehicles.
This consistent success highlights the ongoing challenges and dedication required to secure Nigeria’s maritime borders against the influx of unauthorized light weapons.
Comptroller Joe Anani provided a detailed inventory of the recovered haul during the handover. The items included five pistols, one Crossman Pump Master rifle, 132 Remington live cartridges, and 51 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition.
The cache also contained four magazines, 40 rounds of assorted ammunition, and 118 empty shells.
Anani emphasized that the operation was authorized by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi. He stated that the command maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward smuggling to ensure only legitimate trade thrives.
This stance reinforces the service’s commitment to national security and the protection of Nigeria’s economic interests.
Regarding the discovery of the weaponry, Anani stated: “The arms and ammunition were uncovered on 25 different occasions during the examination of imported vehicles between 2022 and 2025.” This underscores the persistence of smugglers and the vital necessity for continuous, thorough inspections of all incoming cargo.
Beyond security, the command reported strong financial growth, generating N44.06bn in revenue by late January 2026. This 8.8 percent increase over the previous year was attributed to the “B’Odogwu” modernization project. This new management system has significantly improved productivity and transparency across the command’s operations.
The event concluded by reaffirming the importance of inter-agency collaboration in maintaining national safety. Anani noted that new cargo scanners would soon be deployed to further enhance detection capabilities.
By transferring these weapons to the NCCSALW, the Customs Service ensures they are properly handled and kept out of circulation.
