By Ajibola Adedoye
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ has announced the sum of Three Billion, One hundred and Forty-Four Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira Only (₦3,144,680,000.00) being the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of a total of seventy-six (76) interceptions of smuggled and contraband goods within three weeks of its intensified surveillance and enforcement activities across the six states of the South-West geopolitical zone.
Making this announcement at a press conference on Thursday, 14th August, 2025, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, the Customs Area Controller noted that the 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 with the arrest of a total of 13 suspects in connection with the seizures.
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“Some of the suspects have been granted administrative bail, while others have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution” he stressed.
According to the CAC, “the seized items include the following:
- 4,068 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) equivalent to seven trailer loads
- 22 used (tokunbo) 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
- 770 jerrycans of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil
“In addition to these, we made notable seizures involving eight (8) containers with mis-declared goods or attempts to evade duties. The breakdown is as follows:
- 4x40ft containers:
- MSKU-1629585 – Sacks of used shoes and canvas
- MSKU-0733723 – Auto spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles
- TCNU-9441240 – Furniture
- ACLU-9673721 – Spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles
- 4x20ft containers:
- TEMU-4596866 – Furniture
- TCLU-3866419 – Furniture
- TCKU-3962096 – Furniture
- TCKU-1497232 – pali bitters drinks
“In line with our commitment to inter-agency collaboration, the seized Cannabis Sativa will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
“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.
“Beyond enforcement, FOU Zone A also plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with import and export regulations. We continue to scrutinize questionable declarations, correct under valuations, and issue Demand Notices (DNs) where necessary. Between 18th July and 12th August 2025, the Unit recovered a total of ₦47,834,397.29 (Forty-Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Seven Naira, Twenty-Nine Kobo).
“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” CAC Shuaibu submitted.
While commending the tireless efforts of the operatives, the CAC reaffirm FOU Zone A’s steadfast commitment to securing our nation’s borders against all forms of economic sabotage saying “We will not relent in our mission to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment and protect our economy from illicit trade practices” he concluded.
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