MARCON applaud intelligence-led enforcement at Tin Can Island Port

Stanley Ihedigbo

Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for the interception of a major arms consignment and the seizure of cannabis-infused products at the Tin Can Island Port Command in Lagos.

MARCON described the operations as significant victories in the ongoing efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s national security and prevent the country’s maritime gateways from being exploited by criminal networks involved in the trafficking of arms, illicit drugs and other prohibited items.

In a statement signed by its Secretary, Olamide Osho, on Monday, the organisation called for sustained and heightened surveillance at Nigeria’s ports, borders and other entry points, stressing that criminals could increasingly attempt to exploit legitimate maritime trade channels to smuggle prohibited goods into the country.

The commendation followed the Customs Service’s detailed examination of a container intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port, which ultimately led to the recovery of 399 fully assembled Jojef firearms and a large quantity of firearm components.

According to the NCS, the container was shipped aboard the MV VELIKA and arrived at the Tin Can Island Port on July 8, 2026. It was subsequently flagged for enhanced monitoring through the Service’s intelligence-driven risk management system.

During an initial examination, Customs officers discovered concealed crates containing knocked-down components preliminarily identified as Jojef pump-action rifles.

However, following further investigation, coupling and a detailed examination completed on Sunday, August 9, the NCS confirmed that the consignment contained 399 fully assembled Jojef firearms.

The examination also uncovered 89 frames, 16 heat shields, 10 trigger pins, three pistons, 25 locking lugs, 80 charging handles, 39 pistol-grip screws, 34 springs, 57 trigger groups, 66 foregrip latches, 45 foregrips or handguards, four pistol grips and five barrels.

The discovery has heightened concerns over attempts by criminal elements to move weapons through Nigeria’s maritime corridors, particularly at a time when security agencies are intensifying preparations ahead of the country’s next general elections.

The Customs Service said two suspects had been arrested in connection with the arms consignment, while another principal suspect remains at large and is being actively tracked.

MARCON said the successful interception demonstrated the importance of intelligence gathering, effective cargo profiling and coordinated enforcement in preventing the illegal movement of weapons through Nigeria’s ports.

In a separate operation at the Tin Can Island Port Command, Customs officers also intercepted two 40-foot containers conveying cannabis-infused products concealed alongside used vehicles, generators, batteries and other imported goods.

The seized items included 109 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused pre-roll cookies, 125 cartons of Delta-8 cannabis-infused gummies and 73 cartons of cannabis-infused cookies.

The combined street value of the seized cannabis-infused products was estimated at ₦373.8 million.

MARCON said the drug seizure further demonstrated the need for continuous intelligence-driven enforcement, particularly as sophisticated criminal networks continue to devise ways of concealing prohibited substances among legitimate cargo.

The organisation praised officers of the Tin Can Island Port Command and the Customs Enforcement Unit for what it described as their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to national security.

The Customs Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, had earlier warned that criminal networks might seek to exploit Nigeria’s borders, seaports and airports to move prohibited items into the country ahead of the next general elections.

Adeniyi said the Service would continue to strengthen its enforcement operations and intelligence capabilities to prevent criminal elements from using the country’s trade corridors to transport arms and other prohibited commodities.

He also raised concerns over the possibility of internal compromise within the Customs system, warning that the effectiveness of border security could be undermined if personnel collaborated with smugglers and criminal networks.

According to him, the Service would not only target external criminal networks but would also pay close attention to internal processes and personnel who might facilitate the movement of prohibited goods.

The Customs chief further disclosed that the seized firearms would be handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The handover is expected to form part of broader inter-agency efforts to remove illicit weapons from circulation and prevent them from reaching criminal groups.

MARCON Seeks Stronger Maritime Security Collaboration
MARCON said the latest seizures should serve as a reminder that Nigeria’s ports remain critical components of the country’s national security architecture and must therefore receive sustained attention from security and regulatory agencies.

The organisation urged the NCS to maintain its intelligence-led approach while strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the police, the ONSA and other relevant agencies.

It also called for greater cooperation among maritime stakeholders, including port operators, shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, customs agents and other participants in the international trade chain.

According to MARCON, effective collaboration and timely information sharing would make it increasingly difficult for criminal networks to exploit legitimate maritime activities for the movement of illicit goods.

The organisation stressed that Nigeria’s ambition to grow its maritime economy and facilitate legitimate international trade must go hand in hand with strong security measures capable of protecting the country from transnational criminal activities.

MARCON therefore urged sustained investment in cargo scanning technology, intelligence gathering, risk profiling and personnel training across the nation’s ports.

It maintained that the successful interception of the arms and cannabis consignments showed that intelligence-driven enforcement could significantly disrupt criminal operations before prohibited goods reached their intended destinations.

The organisation further encouraged Customs officers and other security personnel to remain vigilant, professional and uncompromising in the discharge of their responsibilities.

MARCON said it would continue to support efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime security while using its position as a professional body of maritime journalists to promote public awareness of developments affecting the nation’s ports, shipping industry and national security.

The organisation said the latest operations by the NCS should encourage all relevant agencies to deepen inter-agency cooperation and ensure that Nigeria’s maritime corridors remain safe, secure and conducive to legitimate commerce.

It added that protecting the nation’s ports from arms and drug trafficking was not solely a Customs responsibility, but a collective national security duty requiring the cooperation of government agencies, maritime operators, journalists and the wider public.