The South-West border corridors have long been a battleground between smugglers and law enforcement agencies.
In recent weeks, however, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its Federal Operations Unit, Zone A (FOU A), its Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, has intensified its crackdown with remarkable success.
Briefing journalists in Lagos recently, Comptroller Shuaibu said: ”Between July 18 and August 12, 2025, officers of the Unit recorded 76 separate interceptions of contraband goods and misdeclared cargoes, sending a strong message to those who thrive on economic sabotage.”
At the center of the seizures was rice—Nigeria’s most smuggled staple.
Officers intercepted 4,068 bags of foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to seven trailer loads, along notorious smuggling routes in Ogun and Oyo states.
Fuel smugglers were also not spared.
485 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)—about 12,125 litres—were confiscated before they could be siphoned into black market networks that thrive on diversion.
Among the contraband were 22 used vehicles, including two massive Ashok Leyland drilling trucks.
To Customs, this was more than just an illegal trade; it was a blow against the local automotive market and Nigeria’s economic policies.
Eight containers, intercepted at strategic checkpoints, told another story of smuggling ingenuity. Four 40-foot containers carried everything from used tyres and spare parts to furniture and vehicles, while four 20-foot containers were stacked with furniture and imported bitters.
The Controller said smugglers continue to exploit Nigerians’ appetite for cheap but dangerous products. Officers seized 57 parcels of cannabis sativa, which have since been transferred to sister security agencies.
Other items included 120 bales of used clothing (linked to health risks), 770 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil, and 47 cartons of frozen poultry products—items banned to protect local industries.
Key Seizures at a Glance
4,068 bags of rice (50kg each)
22 vehicles, including 2 Ashok Leyland trucks
12,125 litres of PMS
120 bales of used clothing
770 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil
57 parcels of cannabis sativa
47 cartons of frozen poultry products
8 containers of misdeclared goods
The operations cut across multiple states. Ogun State’s notorious corridors—Ilaro, Owode, Ajilete, and Imeko-Afon—remained major flashpoints.
In Oyo State, Shaki and Iseyin were active hotspots, while the Lagos metropolis served as a key interception hub.
Ondo and Ekiti states, often used as diversion routes, also came under closer surveillance.
In all, 13 suspects were arrested. Some have been granted administrative bail, while others are facing prosecution through collaboration with security agencies.
Customs officials insist these arrests are crucial to dismantling smuggling networks and deterring repeat offenders.
The seized goods carry a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦3.14 billion—a staggering figure that highlights the economic losses Nigeria could have suffered if the operations had failed.
Beyond seizures, the Unit recovered ₦47.8 million through Demand Notices (DNs) issued to importers who attempted to under-declare goods.
Revenue Highlight
Seized goods DPV: ₦3.14 billion
While the seizures made headlines, the Comptroller stressed that FOU Zone A’s mandate extends beyond enforcement. The Unit plays a crucial role in trade facilitation, ensuring genuine businesses are not unfairly targeted while smugglers face the full weight of the law.
Behind the seizures are stories of grit. Officers patrol dense forests, unpaved border roads, and volatile communities where smugglers sometimes fight back with arms. Every bag of rice seized represents a confrontation with those determined to profit at the nation’s expense.
“Smuggling is a collective problem,” Comptroller Comptroller Shuaibu declared.
“Our operatives will not relent, but we need public support. Information is power, and with cooperation from stakeholders, we will defeat economic saboteurs.”
The latest haul is only one chapter in Nigeria’s long battle against smuggling. For Customs officers, the fight is ongoing—a daily struggle to outwit syndicates that constantly evolve in tactics.
Still, with seizures worth billions in just three weeks, FOU Zone A has once again proven its resilience, reminding Nigerians that the fight for economic integrity is very much alive.
Border Porosity: Nigeria shares long and porous borders with neighboring countries.
High Tariffs: Smugglers exploit high duties to sneak in cheaper goods.
Consumer Demand: Nigerians’ appetite for foreign rice, clothing, and poultry fuels the trade.
Weak Enforcement in Some Corridors: Syndicates exploit gaps in surveillance.
For the Nigeria Customs Service, the mission remains clear: secure Nigeria’s borders, safeguard legitimate trade, and starve smugglers of profit. The ₦3.14 billion seizures are not just statistics—they are proof that the battle is being fought, and the noose is tightening.
