As part of ongoing efforts to curb smuggling and protect the nation’s economy, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested no fewer than eight suspected smugglers and intercepted smuggled goods valued at over ₦3 billion across the South-West states in the past five weeks.
A breakdown of the seizures, estimated at ₦3 billion, includes 6,954 bags of foreign rice, 21 illegally imported foreign-used vehicles, 27 bars of sugar, 3,362 cans of foreign vegetable oil, and 20,700 litres of fuel.
Other items seized by the unit include 950 bales of used clothing, a container of stone-coated aluminium sheets, 3,029 parcels of cannabis indica weighing about 1,431 kilograms, four live pangolins, and 581 used refrigerator compressors.
The command also disclosed that it lost one of its officers in the line of duty during the operations, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the risks personnel face while safeguarding the nation’s borders and economy.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Zone A headquarters along Mobolaji Johnson Way, Ikeja, the Comptroller of the unit, Gambo Aliyu, said the command remains committed to confronting smuggling syndicates with renewed vigour, professional discipline, and absolute respect for the rule of law and human dignity.
He noted that the unit’s strategy is anchored on three guiding principles—Change Management, Compliance Management, and Reputational Management—with inclusivity as a core value.
Aliyu explained that the command recognised early that different results could not be achieved using outdated methods, prompting a comprehensive review of its operations, deployment patterns, and internal processes to support informed decision-making.
According to him, the measures include strengthening internal supervision through clearly defined performance indicators for officers and reorganising patrols using intelligence-driven deployment rather than routine and predictable checkpoints, particularly across the Lagos metropolis.
In addition to the seizures recorded, Aliyu said the command has continued to enforce import and export compliance by addressing cases of cargo misdeclaration, which led to the issuance of several Demand Notices (DNs).
He disclosed that between December 10, 2025, and the present, a total of ₦36,891,826 (Thirty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira) was recovered.
Aliyu added that the unit’s core mandate is to strengthen the integrity of the supply chain through rigorous gap analysis, while adopting sustained enforcement tactics aimed at rooting out economic saboteurs without hindering legitimate trade.
The Comptroller further disclosed that the 3,029 parcels of cannabis indica, weighing about 1,425 kilograms, have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
Reiterating the dangers associated with drug trafficking, Aliyu noted that the illicit trade fuels insecurity by enabling the production of hard drugs such as methamphetamine, which embolden criminals, erode social values, and destabilise the nation.
He added that the ripple effects are visible in public spaces, increased health burdens linked to addiction, and significant economic losses, particularly through youth unemployment.
Aliyu urged perpetrators to abandon illicit activities and embrace legitimate businesses, warning that the command’s resolve to enforce the law remains unwavering.
