Justice Friday Ogazi of the Federal High Court has ordered the remand of three suspected firearms smugglers arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over the unlawful importation of pump-action rifles into the country.

The rsuspects Kenneth Mbonu, Kenneth Agwu and Chima Onuoha  are to be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) until September 1, 2026, following the court’s ruling on a motion ex parte filed by the Customs.

The firearms were reportedly concealed in a container marked TEMU 184536/9, which arrived in Nigeria aboard MV Velika on July 8, 2026.

However, the remand order comes on the heels of an earlier directive by the same court, which ordered the detention of two other suspects, Ejiogu Godson and Revert Eze, in connection with the alleged smuggling operation.

While arguing the application before the Court yesterday, counsel to the NCS, Mr. David Ereh and Mrs. Kehinde Bode-Ayeni, told the court that the motion was brought pursuant to Sections 294 and 295 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015; Section 6 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023; and relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Order 46 Rule 4(d) of the Federal High Court Rules.

The Customs sought an order permitting the remand of the suspects pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution, noting that the probe could not be completed within the constitutionally prescribed 24 or 48 hours due to the nature of the alleged offences.

In an affidavit attached in support of the application, a litigation officer, N. Akpan, stated that the case stemmed from credible intelligence received by officers of the Customs Enforcement Unit regarding the suspicious container.

According to him, officers acting on the directive of the Customs Area Controller monitored the container upon its arrival on July 8, 2026, and conducted a physical examination on July 13, during which arms and ammunition were allegedly discovered concealed within.

He added that the discovery led to the arrest of the suspects and the commencement of further investigations into the alleged unlawful importation.

Akpan further deposed that the suspects had provided information implicating other accomplices involved in the alleged forgery and manipulation of customs documents used to facilitate the illegal clearance of the container.

He disclosed that efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects, adding that the defendants had made voluntary statements under caution, which the Customs described as confessional.

The deponent warned that granting bail at this stage could jeopardise ongoing investigations, as the suspects might aid others to evade arrest or tamper with evidence.

Counsel to the Customs urged the court to grant a 15-day remand order to enable investigators conclude their probe in the public interest.

Ruling on the application, Justice Ogazi granted the request and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service for 15 days and subsequently adjourned the matter September 1, 2026 for a report on the progress of investigations or the possible arraignment of the suspects.