The Nigeria Customs Service intercepted 399 fully assembled Jojef rifles and assorted rifle parts at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos [1], [2].
The seizure represents a significant blow to illegal arms trafficking networks attempting to move high-capacity weaponry into the country. By blocking these shipments, officials aim to reduce the availability of firearms used by insurgent groups and criminal syndicates across the region.
Customs officers discovered the shipment on Sunday [2]. The haul consisted of 399 fully assembled Jojef firearms [2], and various components used for rifle assembly [1].
The operation is part of a broader crackdown on the proliferation of illegal arms [2]. Nigeria has faced persistent security challenges, and the entry of assembled military-grade hardware through major commercial hubs like the Tin Can Island Port remains a critical vulnerability for national security.
Officials did not immediately release details regarding the origin of the shipment or the identity of the intended recipients. The Nigeria Customs Service continues to monitor port activity to prevent similar breaches of maritime security [1].
“The Nigeria Customs Service intercepted 399 fully assembled Jojef rifles”
The interception of nearly 400 assembled rifles highlights the ongoing struggle to secure Nigeria's porous ports against sophisticated arms smuggling. The specific seizure of Jojef firearms suggests an attempt to introduce standardized weaponry into the country, which could have escalated local conflicts if the shipment had reached its destination.
