Customs FOU A Seizes 6,954 Bags of Rice, 21 Vehicles, 1,431kg Cannabis in ₦3.32bn Anti-Smuggling Offensive
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 1,431kg synthetic cannabis, 21 units of used vehicles and other prohibited items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦3.32 billion.
Comptroller Gambo Aliyu who made the disclosure during his maiden press briefing at the Unit’s headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday, said it recorded a total of 144 interdictions across its area of responsibility in the South-West.
According to him, the seizures resulted from a strategic operational overhaul marked by intelligence-led enforcement, reorganised patrol patterns, strengthened internal supervision, and a move away from predictable checkpoints.
A breakdown of the seizures shows 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 12 trailer loads), 77 bags of foreign sugar, and 21 units of used vehicles.
Others include 3,362 jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil; 20,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 915 bales of used clothing; a 20-foot container of stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets; and 3,029 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing about 1,431kg.
Comptroller Aliyu described the operation as a significant disruption of criminal supply networks fueling insecurity in the country.
“These seizures occurred against the backdrop of rising banditry, terrorism and other societal vices threatening national stability. Drug trafficking fuels these crimes by providing chemical stimulants that embolden perpetrators and erode social order”.
The Comptroller also revealed notable environmental and wildlife-related interceptions, including four live pangolins rescued along Alapa Creek, Ajilete, and handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre.
Similarly, the unit seized 581 used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle, which Aliyu said posed serious environmental and public health risks due to hazardous substances and greenhouse gas emissions.
He explained that the seizure aligned with Section 55(1)(d) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the Basel Convention, both of which regulate trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste.
He disclosed that the command lost one of its officers in the line of duty on Tuesday, noting that the development had been formally communicated to the Customs high command.
Aliyu said eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and are currently under investigation.
The seized cannabis was formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution, in line with inter-agency collaboration,
Beyond enforcement, Comptroller Aliyu said the unit recovered N36.89 million between December 10, 2025 to date through demand notices issued over cargo misdeclaration and other import-export compliance breaches.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to combating smuggling, trans-border crimes and economic sabotage, while facilitating legitimate trade through professionalism, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies and border communities.
He urged officers of the unit to sustain the momentum in safeguarding Nigeria’s economy, environment and national security.
