The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 46 consignments of contraband goods valued at ₦1.5 billion during a two-week operation.
Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu made this known during a press briefing on Tuesday in Ikeja, where he outlined the unit’s recent achievements.
He noted that the seizures followed shortly after he assumed leadership of the unit on 23 April.
Within the same two-week period, the unit recovered ₦48.34 million through demand notices issued for improperly declared consignments.
According to Shuaibu, the unit remains committed to exploring all revenue streams in order to recover losses from duty evasion.
He stated that sustainable strategies would be implemented to strengthen the economy, boost government revenue, and promote legitimate trade.
The Comptroller said the unit’s resolute actions had dealt a significant blow to economic saboteurs who sought to undermine national interests through smuggling.
He further disclosed that border patrol teams across the South-West states had intensified surveillance activities to curtail the activities of unscrupulous individuals.
These efforts led to the interception of rice, cannabis, used vehicles, and other goods at various locations including Imeko, Ilaro, Idiroko, Ilara, Ihumbo, Abeokuta, and Badagry.
“On 23 and 24 May, at 03:00 and 02:30 hours respectively, patrol teams intercepted two 40-foot containers at the Ijora-Olopa and Mile 2 axis,” Shuaibu revealed.
“The containers, MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090, contained seven Mitsubishi Canters, Toyota Hiace buses, and three mini shuttles, all dismantled in an attempt to evade customs duties.
“Other seized items included used bicycles, 312 bales of printed wax fabric, 23 bales of second-hand clothing, 42 used gas cylinders, and 30 flat-screen televisions.”
Additional items recovered were 65 tabletop cookers and 31 used split air conditioning units.
Shuaibu further disclosed that on 19 May at 03:00 hours, a patrol team intercepted a Volvo truck loaded with 1,263 used tyres, with one suspect arrested.
Later that same day, at 23:00 hours, operatives stopped another truck along the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway, which was found to be conveying uncustomed goods, including bulletproof vests.
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On 26 May at 06:00 hours, a Mercedes Benz truck, initially appearing empty, was intercepted in Ijebu-Ode. Upon inspection, officers discovered Cannabis Sativa concealed within hidden compartments. One suspect was arrested in connection.
In total, the unit recorded 46 seizures during the operation, including 2,051 bags of 50kg foreign rice equivalent to three trailer loads 11 used (tokunbo) vehicles, 1,665kg of Cannabis Sativa, and 4,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Other interceptions included a J5 bus laden with expired goods and a Volvo truck conveying 180 sacks of new towels.
Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, which carried a duty-paid value of ₦1.28 billion. The total value of all seized goods including rice, PMS, vehicles, and narcotics amounted to ₦1.5 billion.
Shuaibu reiterated the unit’s resolve to remain vigilant, warning that smugglers were becoming increasingly desperate and sophisticated in their tactics.
The Assistant Commander-General of Narcotics at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Abdul Mayaki, formally received the confiscated cannabis from the Customs Service.
Mayaki affirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to intensified surveillance and control of illicit substances along Nigeria’s borders.
He also disclosed that an MoU had been signed with Indian authorities to halt the production of codeine for Nigerian importers, compelling traffickers to seek alternative smuggling routes.
“With our ongoing collaboration, we are closing the gaps and will continue to checkmate their activities,” Mayaki assured.
