Customs heightens surveillance over arms influx ahead of 2027 elections

Nigeria's Customs Service is heightening surveillance across its borders, ports, and airports in anticipation of the 2027 general elections, aiming to curb the influx of illegal arms. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the intensified efforts while handing over 399 seized rifles to the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja.

Adeniyi stated that criminal elements are attempting to exploit the pre-election period to smuggle weapons into the country. However, he assured that the Service is prepared to thwart such attempts. The seized weapons, identified as Jojef rifles, were discovered during a detailed examination of a suspected arms shipment at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.

The consignment also contained hundreds of additional rifle components, including frames, trigger groups, charging handles, foregrips, and barrels. Following an inventory and assessment, the weapons were transferred to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser. Two individuals apprehended during the initial investigation have also been transferred to the NSA for further inquiry.