The Nigeria Customs Service, Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited Command, has transferred seized arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
The development was confirmed in a statement released on Friday, which revealed that the prohibited items were intercepted on 25 separate occasions during the examination of imported vehicles between 2022 and 2025.
According to the command, the handover further demonstrates its commitment to strengthening border security, facilitating legitimate trade and enhancing collaboration with other security agencies.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the command, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the PTML Command, Comptroller Joe Anani, said the exercise reflected the Service’s zero tolerance for smuggling and its determination to ensure that only lawful trade activities are conducted within Nigeria’s borders.
Anani disclosed that the handover was carried out with the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, under whose leadership the seizures were recorded.
“The items handed over included five pistols of different makes, one Crossman Pump Master rifle, 132 Remington live cartridges, 51 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition, four 9mm magazines, 40 rounds of assorted 9mm and blank/hollow ammunition, as well as 118 empty 9mm shells.
“The arms and ammunition were uncovered on 25 different occasions during the examination of imported vehicles between 2022 and 2025,” Anani said.
He attributed the successful interceptions to sustained vigilance and effective collaboration with sister security agencies operating at the port, stressing that the command would not tolerate any form of illegal trade.
The PTML Customs boss further stated that the command remains committed to the implementation of the Revised Kyoto Convention, a World Customs Organisation framework designed to balance trade facilitation with regulatory control.
Anani also highlighted the impact of the Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation Project, noting that the introduction of the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’Odogwu, has significantly improved operational efficiency at the command.
He added that the command would soon be equipped with cargo scanners, which would further enhance its ability to detect concealed items such as arms and ammunition.
On revenue generation, Anani disclosed that with two days remaining in January 2026, the command had generated N44.06bn, exceeding the N40.50bn recorded in January 2025 by N3.56bn, representing an 8.8 per cent increase.
He praised compliant stakeholders for their cooperation, describing them as critical partners in the command’s achievements.
“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 items were officially received by the South West Zonal Coordinator of the NCCSALW, CP Mustapha Abiodun Alamutu (Rtd).
Illegal arms importation involves the unauthorised smuggling of small arms and light weapons into Nigeria through seaports, land borders, inland waterways and other unapproved routes, often exploiting security gaps.
The Nigeria Customs Service plays a key role in combating this threat through enhanced cargo examination, intelligence-led operations and coordinated efforts with other security agencies to intercept arms and ammunition before they enter circulation
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