The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Command, has formally handed over a cache of seized arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), reinforcing its resolve to block the inflow of prohibited items into the country.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Lagos on Thursday, January 30, 2026, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani, said the exercise highlights the Service’s unwavering anti-smuggling stance, its commitment to promoting legitimate trade, and the strength of inter-agency collaboration.
Comptroller Anani explained that the handover was carried out with the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, psc(+), under whose leadership the seizures were made.
The items handed over include five pistols of different makes, one Crossman Pump Master rifle, 132 rounds of Remington live cartridges, 51 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition, four 9mm magazines, 40 assorted 9mm blank and hollow rounds, and 118 empty 9mm shells.
According to him, the arms and ammunition were uncovered on 25 different occasions during the examination of imported vehicles between 2022 and 2025, describing the seizures as a product of sustained vigilance by Customs officers and effective collaboration with sister agencies operating at the port.
“PTML remains a no-go area for unlawful trade under any guise,” the Customs boss declared, adding that the command remains committed to implementing the Revised Kyoto Convention of the World Customs Organisation to facilitate trade while enforcing strict control over imports and exports.
He also disclosed that under the Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation Project, the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, has significantly improved operational efficiency at the command. Anani further announced that scanners would soon be deployed to PTML, a move expected to further enhance the detection of concealed prohibited items.
On revenue performance, Comptroller Anani revealed that with two days to the end of January 2026, the PTML Command had generated ₦44.06 billion, surpassing the ₦40.49 billion recorded in January 2025 by ₦3.56 billion, representing an 8.8 per cent increase.
He commended compliant stakeholders for their cooperation and described them as key partners in the command’s success, before formally handing over the seized arms and ammunition to NCCSALW for further action.
The event was attended by officials of NCCSALW, management of PTML, heads of sister security agencies, Customs officers, and members of the media.
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