The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 195 smuggling attempts involving prohibited and restricted goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦6,194,695,947.05 within four weeks of intensified enforcement operations.
The seizures included 5,986 parcels of cannabis weighing 3,407.83kg, 21 foreign-used vehicles, 23,220 new matchets, 1,250 rounds of 12-calibre cartridges, 400 grams of cocaine and 100 grams of methamphetamine, among other prohibited items.
Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Tuesday during his maiden press briefing since assuming office, held in Ikeja, Lagos. He said the seizures were part of a renewed enforcement strategy driven by intelligence gathering, improved surveillance, risk-based examination and stronger collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies.
“These seizures go beyond mere statistics, but represent revenue recovered for the Federation, local industries protected, and lives saved from dangerous and substandard goods,” Afeni stated. “We will not measure our success by how much we seize, but by how much harm we prevent.”
Other items intercepted by the unit included 3,028 bags of 50kg imported rice, 995 bags of 25kg, 104 bags of 20kg and 207 bags of 5kg; 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry; 6,949 cartons of smuggled spaghetti; 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing; and 1,236 used tyres and 33 used rims.
The unit also seized 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 57 cartons, 37 packs and six pieces of codeine syrup, 20 cartons of couscous, 101 bags of 50kg imported sugar, eight bags of 25kg creamer powdered milk and 12 bags of 25kg grain oat products.
Other seizures included 2,760 pieces of office chairs in completely knocked-down (CKD) form found in a 40-foot container with identification number SEGU 5347239, eight live pangolins and 250 cartons of Lotus sardines without National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration numbers.
The unit also intercepted 11 means of conveyance used in smuggling operations.
Afeni expressed particular concern over the volume of cannabis seized, noting that the 2025 World Drug Report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) identifies cannabis as the most widely available and used drug globally, accounting for an estimated 42 per cent of drug-use disorder cases.
He warned that potent strains, including those marketed as “Colorado”, continue to destroy young lives, disrupt families, fuel social vices and place additional pressure on the healthcare system.
The Acting Comptroller also drew attention to the seizure of 23,220 new matchets allegedly smuggled into the country without the required certificates and permits.
According to him, the items could have been used to disrupt peaceful elections in the coming months, warning that election-related violence is often facilitated by the smuggling of such dangerous items.
Beyond the physical seizures, FOU Zone ‘A’ recovered ₦683,661,304.05 through strengthened compliance checks, closer scrutiny of import declarations, correction of under-valuations and the issuance of demand notices.
Afeni said the revenue recovery covered the period from September 30, 2026, to the date of the briefing.
He assured legitimate importers, licensed customs agents and the trading public that the unit would sustain efforts to facilitate compliant trade while remaining firm against duty evasion, falsified declarations and activities threatening national security.
On inter-agency cooperation, Afeni emphasised that the evolving nature of trans-border crimes requires coordinated enforcement efforts among relevant security and regulatory institutions.
He said FOU Zone ‘A’ had sustained collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Army, NAFDAC, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and other relevant agencies.
He added that seized narcotics and arrested suspects would be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while other prohibited items would be transferred to the appropriate agencies in line with their statutory responsibilities.
The Acting Comptroller appealed to stakeholders and members of the public to support the fight against smuggling by reporting suspicious activities and patronising legitimate trade.
He warned economic saboteurs that the unit would remain vigilant, disrupt their networks and ensure that offenders face the full weight of the law.
Afeni expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the Nigeria Customs Service for the confidence reposed in him.
He also commended officers of FOU Zone ‘A’ for their courage, professionalism and commitment, stressing that the successes recorded so far should inspire greater dedication rather than complacency.
“Under my watch, the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, will remain resolute in its fight against smuggling, committed to revenue protection, and dedicated to professional, transparent, and intelligence-led Customs operations,” Afeni said.
