Customs FOU Zone 'A' Foils 473 Smuggling Attempts, Seizes ₦2.35bn Drugs in South-West Operations
Kathy Kyari
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its crackdown on economic saboteurs, thwarting 473 smuggling attempts and intercepting high-value narcotics worth over ₦2.35 billion within eight weeks of operations across the South-West.
The Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing on the activities of the Unit, highlighting significant seizures, arrests, and revenue recoveries recorded in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states.
“We gather here today once again to provide insight into our ongoing efforts in the fight against economic saboteurs across the South-Western states of Nigeria".
"The Federal Operations Unit Zone A remains firm and focused on safeguarding our nation’s borders, protecting the economy, and combating all forms of illicit activities,” he said.
Aliyu noted that under his leadership, the Unit “intensified decisive measures against smugglers,” leveraging advanced surveillance, intelligence-sharing frameworks, and inter-agency collaboration to disrupt illicit trade networks.
According to him, the Unit recorded seizures including 8,794 bags of foreign rice, 22 used vehicles, 328 bales of used clothing, 1,188 kegs of vegetable oil, 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and 531 cartons of poultry products, among others.
In a major anti-narcotics breakthrough, the Comptroller said the Unit launched “OPERATION HAWK” to dismantle drug trafficking networks, resulting in the seizure of 3,340 parcels of cannabis indica, popularly known as “Ghanaian loud,” weighing 1,540kg.
“This effort is an affirmation of our commitment in the fight against drugs smuggling syndicates in the Zone,” he stated, adding that evolving smuggling tactics necessitate stronger intelligence-sharing among security agencies.
He further revealed that officers intercepted a Toyota Highlander conveying narcotics along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, leading to the discovery of cocaine and methamphetamine weighing 6.4kg with an estimated street value of ₦2.35 billion.
“In a separate operation, officers and men of the Gbaji outpost acting on credible intelligence… intercepted a green coloured Toyota Highlander… suspected to convey a narcotics substance,” he said.
Aliyu added that the seized drugs would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.
The Unit also intercepted hazardous chemicals, including high-grade mercury concealed in a vehicle, which will be transferred to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency in line with regulatory requirements.
On revenue performance, the Comptroller disclosed that the Unit recorded a Duty Paid Value of ₦5.5 billion within the review period, describing it as “a clear testimony to the scale, intensity, and strategic effectiveness of our operations.”
He added that additional revenue of ₦97.7 million was recovered through the issuance of Demand Notices between February and April 2026.
Aliyu also highlighted the Unit’s ongoing digital transformation drive, aligned with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, noting the deployment of geospatial intelligence, drone surveillance, and real-time tracking to monitor smuggling routes.
“This technological transformation aligns fully with the CGC’s vision of modernizing the NCS to meet global standards, enhance operational efficiency, improve revenue collection, and deliver faster trade facilitation while maintaining robust border security,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Unit would soon commence phased relocation to its newly commissioned headquarters in Iperu, Ogun State, describing it as a “transformative step” toward enhanced operational efficiency.
While reaffirming the Unit’s commitment to border security, Aliyu expressed appreciation to stakeholders and the media for their support, pledging that the Service would “not relent in our mission to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment and protect our economy from illicit trade practices.”
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