Customs FOU Zone "A" Foils Smuggling Attempts, Seizes Contraband Worth Over N1.2 Billion
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has announced the interception of contraband and uncustomed goods worth over N1.2 billion in duty paid value, barely two weeks after its last briefing.
This was disclosed by the Comptroller of the Unit, Mohammed Shuaibu, during a press conference held at the FOU Zone A headquarters, Ikeja Lagos.
Addressing journalists and personnel of the Unit, Comptroller Shuaibu expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the anti-smuggling campaign, which has significantly disrupted the activities of economic saboteurs operating across the southwest.
“It is pertinent to state that our renewed vigor to fight smuggling and criminalities through intelligence-driven operations has continued to pay off, as the resilience and dedication of our operatives has inflicted substantial losses on some economic saboteurs who are bent on bringing our country to its knees through their nefarious activities,” he said.
The Comptroller detailed some of the major interceptions. "On May 23 and 24, 2025, two 40-foot containers (MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090) were intercepted in Lagos, specifically around Ijora-Olopa and Mile 2."
"The seized items included seven Mitsubishi Canters, five Toyota Hiace buses, and three mini shuttle buses, all cut up in an attempt to evade customs duties, alongside used bicycles, 312 bales of printed wax, 23 bales of used clothing, 42 used gas cylinders, 30 used flat-screen TVs, 65 table-top cookers, and 31 used split air conditioning units, among others.
Shuaibu explained that “the importation of these items contravenes Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff.”
"In a separate operation on May 19, a patrol team intercepted a Volvo truck loaded with 1,263 pieces of used tyres. One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure. On the same day, another team along the Shagamu-Ijebu Ode expressway in Ogun State intercepted a truck (registration number T24623LA) suspected to be conveying uncustomed goods, which included bulletproof vests and packages of Tramadol."
"On May 26, 2025, an empty Mercedes Benz truck was intercepted by the Ijebu-Ode patrol team. A thorough search uncovered concealed Cannabis Sativa hidden within the truck’s compartments. One suspect was apprehended."
Comptroller Shuaibu also highlighted intensified border surveillance across the six southwestern states, leading to numerous seizures around Imeko, Ilaro, Owode, Idiroko, Ilara, Ihumbo, Abeokuta, Badagry, Agbara, Gbaji, Shaki, and Iseyin in Oyo State.
In total, the Unit recorded 46 interceptions within the two week period. Seized items included: 2,051 (50kg) bags of foreign parboiled rice, the equivalent of four trailer loads, 11 used (Tokunbo) vehicles, 1,665 kg of Cannabis Sativa, 4,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), one J5 commercial bus loaded with expired goods, one Volvo truck with 180 sacks of new towels.
Seven suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures, which had a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,285,600,383.00.
“These seizures come on the heels of successes recorded in our anti-smuggling activities just three (3) weeks after I resumed the leadership of the unit on the 23rd of April 2025, which saw seizures of over seven trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice, premium motor spirit, vehicles, drugs and narcotics among others with a duty paid value of over 1.5 billion naira,” Shuaibu noted.
Acknowledging the dual responsibility of enforcing border security and facilitating trade, Shuaibu stated, “We are not unaware of the need to balance both responsibilities through risk management tools at our disposal. We are also aware that those whose illicit businesses have been significantly hindered by our operations will spare no efforts in devising different methods to counter us.”
He reassured Nigerians of the NCS’s commitment to national service. “We will continue to remain alive to our responsibilities and will not be deterred by naysayers or anyone intent on casting aspersions on our officers who have always paid the ultimate price for service to their country.”
The Comptroller further disclosed that the 1,665 kg of Indian hemp would be handed over to the relevant agencies for further investigation and prosecution.
In addition to seizures, the Unit recovered N48,340,720.08 through the issuance of Demand Notices (DN) for improperly declared consignments.
Beyond enforcement, Shuaibu touched on internal reforms aimed at boosting officer morale. “We looked at some of our institutional activities that had been relegated to the background. As of today, we have resuscitated the monthly parades and weekly sporting activities, which I intend to invite you people, our media friends, to join us on one of these days,” he said.
He commended officers for their unwavering dedication, steadfastness, gallantry, and integrity while thanking stakeholders and the media for their continued support and accurate reportage.
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