PTML Customs Hands Over Seized Arms, Ammunition to NCCSALW , Records ₦44.05b Revenue in January
The Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has handed over seized arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), reaffirming its commitment to combating smuggling and strengthening inter-agency collaboration.
The handover ceremony, held at the PTML Command on 30 January, 2026, was conducted by the Command’s Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani, who said the action underscored the Service’s resolve to prevent prohibited items from entering the country and to ensure that only legitimate trade thrives within Nigeria’s borders.
Comptroller Anani explained that the handover was carried out with the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, under whose leadership the seizures were made.
The seized items included 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 NIM FC 30-30 blank and hollow ammunition, as well as 118 pieces of 9mm empty shells.
According to Anani, the arms and ammunition were uncovered on 25 different occasions during the examination of imported vehicles between 2022 and 2025. He attributed the successful interceptions to the collective diligence of officers of the PTML Command and other sister agencies operating at the port.
Anani warned that the PTML Command remained a “no-go area” for unlawful trade under any guise, stressing that the command was committed to the full implementation of the Revised Kyoto Convention, a World Customs Organisation (WCO) instrument aimed at facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring effective border controls.
He also highlighted the impact of the Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation Project, noting that the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, which was piloted at the PTML Command, had significantly improved productivity. He disclosed that the command would soon receive scanners as part of the modernisation drive, a development expected to further enhance its capacity to detect concealments such as arms and ammunition.
On revenue performance, the Customs Area Controller revealed that with two days to the end of January 2026, the command had generated ₦44.058,849,416.65 billion, surpassing the ₦40,497,594,223.89 billion recorded in January 2025 by ₦3,561,255,192.76 billion, representing an 8.8 per cent increase.
He commended compliant stakeholders for their cooperation, describing them as key contributors to the command’s success.
At the event, Comptroller Anani formally handed over the seized arms and ammunition to the NCCSALW for further investigation and appropriate action, in line with existing regulations.
“As a command, we have an unshaken commitment to implement the Revised Kyoto Convention, which is a World Customs Organisation (WCO) instrument for trade facilitation while using available manpower and technology to exercise the required control for import and export trade.
“Under the NCS Modernisation Project, which began in this command, the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) also known as B’Odogwu has raised the bar of our productivity. I am pleased to announce that this command will receive scanners soon as part of the modernisation project and our capacity to detect concealments, like these arms and ammunition would be greatly enhanced.”, he said.
The South West Zonal Coordinator of the NCCSALW, CP Mustapha Abiodun Alamutu Rtd who received the seized arms and ammunition, commended the NCS and the PTML Command for the seizures while describing it as outcomes of the service commitment to national security and citizens safety.
He added that the seizures will be properly documented and processed in line with extant procedures while ensuring that they don’t get into the hands of non state actors.
According to him, no single agency can combat arms and ammunition smuggling alone which makes it imperative for inter organisational synergy . Alamutu further described the NCS as a good model of collaboration worthy of emulation.
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