The Federal Operations Unit Zone A (FOU A) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a total of 76 interceptions of smuggled and contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦3,144,680,000 in three weeks.
The enforcement arm of the Service also ensured compliance with import and export regulations, recovering a total of ₦47,834,397.29 between July 18 and August 12, 2025 from questionable declarations, under valuations, and issuance of Demand Notices (DNs) where necessary.
The head of the Unit, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu who made the disclosure during a press briefing on Thursday in Lagos said the feat was achieved through intelligence driven operations.
The seizures include: 4,068 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice equivalent to seven trailer loads; 22 used vehicles, including two Ashok Leyland drilling trucks; 485 jerrycans of 25 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totaling 12,125 litres; 120 bales of used clothing; 57 parcels of Cannabis Sativa; 47 cartons of foreign poultry products and 770 jerrycans of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil.
A breakdown of other notable seizures involving eight containers with misdeclared goods or attempts to evade duties are: 4x40ft containers: MSKU-1629585 – Sacks of used shoes and canvas; MSKU-0733723 – Auto spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles; TCNU-9441240 – Furniture and ACLU-9673721 – Spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles.
Also in 4x20ft containers are: TEMU-4596866 – Furniture; TCLU-3866419 – Furniture; TCKU-3962096 – Furniture and TCKU-1497232 – pali bitters drinks.
According to Comptroller Shuaibu, these seizures occurred at strategic points across the South-Western states, including Ilaro, Owode, Ajilete, and Imeko-Afon in Ogun State; the Ondo/Ekiti axis; Shaki and Iseyin in Oyo State and the Lagos metropolis.
He revealed that 13 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, adding that some have been granted administrative bail, while others have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He said: “Our mandate remains firm and focused to safeguard our nation’s borders, protect the economy, and combat all forms of illicit trade. In line with this mandate, the Federal Operations Unit Zone A (FOU A) has intensified surveillance and enforcement activities across the six states of the South-West geopolitical zone.
“These seizures underscore the operational capabilities and strategic effectiveness of our operatives. They also reinforce our unwavering resolve to dismantle smuggling networks and confront economic saboteurs whose actions threaten national security and undermine the fiscal policies of the federal government.
“While we maintain vigilance against smuggling and fraud, the FOU remains a strong partner in trade facilitation. We continue to support legitimate trade through intelligence-driven operations that strike a balance between security enforcement and economic growth ensuring that lawful traders are not unduly hindered in the process.
“I commend the tireless efforts of our operatives and reaffirm our steadfast commitment to securing our nation’s borders against all forms of economic sabotage. We will not relent in our mission to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment and protect our economy from illicit trade practices”.
The seized Cannabis Sativa has been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
Compt Shuaibu thanked stakeholders for their support and urged the public to provide the NCS with a report of any suspicious activities to build a safer and secure Nigeria.
