The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced on Wednesday that it has intercepted 125,527 pieces of arms and ammunition worth N9.58 billion smuggled into the country through various seaports over the past six years. The revelation was made during a press conference on enforcement activities, held by the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in Zone A of the service.
The Customs CG raised concerns over the increasing volume of arms smuggling into Nigeria and revealed that 10,598 arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition were seized. Adeniyi emphasized that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, highlighting the success of heightened enforcement activities aimed at curbing illegal arms importation.
“The scale and sophistication of these illicit activities are alarming,” Adeniyi stated. “Since 2018, the NCS has intercepted 20 significant shipments containing arms and ammunition valued at N9.58 billion. Notably, 60% of these seizures occurred in the past year alone, reflecting the intensification of our efforts to stop arms smuggling.”
The CGC also mentioned that 34.67% of the total duty-paid value, 20.58% of the arms seized, and a staggering 99.62% of the ammunition intercepted since 2018 were recorded in 2023. Adeniyi attributed these successes to strategic operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting, which focus on disrupting smuggling networks across Nigeria’s borders.
In addition to the arms seizures, the CGC also raised an alarm over the massive smuggling of foreign parboiled rice into Nigeria through the land borders. Adeniyi revealed that the Customs Service seized 7,155 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, with 3,235 bags confiscated along the Erekiti waterside, Seme Road, and Ogun State border areas.
“These seizures are the result of new strategies implemented by our officers,” Adeniyi said. “However, they also reveal the persistent threat we face from smugglers. We are enhancing our intelligence gathering, upgrading technological infrastructure, and strengthening partnerships both domestically and internationally to address these issues.”
The CGC issued a stern warning to smugglers, stating that the NCS, in collaboration with other security agencies, will continue to clamp down on illegal activities and ensure that violators face the full weight of the law.
Largest Pangolin Scale Seizure Since 2020
In a related development, Adeniyi revealed that the NCS had conducted the largest global seizure of pangolin scales since 2020, in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC). The operation, which took place in Kano/Kaduna and Lagos, resulted in the interception of 9,493 kg of pangolin scales and the arrest of four individuals.
In Kano/Kaduna, 2,293 tons of pangolin scales were seized, while the Lagos operation led to the confiscation of 7.2 tons. The total amount of pangolin scales intercepted by the NCS and WJC since 2021 now stands at nearly 20 tons, representing the loss of over 30,000 pangolins.
“The threat to endangered species is unacceptable, and Nigeria will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to combat wildlife trafficking and ensure that perpetrators face the full consequences of their actions,” Adeniyi said.
In addition, the CGC disclosed significant progress in an international investigation involving a shipment intercepted in Vietnam, which contained 1,580 kg of elephant tusks. Three individuals connected to the illegal export have been arrested, marking a major milestone in the fight against wildlife trafficking.
The NCS remains committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders, economy, and environment through its intensified enforcement efforts, collaboration with international partners, and ongoing operations across the country.
