In a decisive operation underscoring Nigeria’s fight against economic sabotage, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and seized contraband goods valued at over ₦1.2 billion within just six weeks.
Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, who heads the unit, made the announcement during a media briefing on Monday, October 7, 2025, at the Unit’s Ikeja office. He described the success as a testament to the Service’s unwavering resolve to enforce trade laws, protect local industries, and dismantle smuggling networks operating across the Southwest.
According to him, the seizures were made through coordinated surveillance, intelligence-led operations, and swift enforcement actions between September 1 and October 7, 2025. The campaign forms part of a broader strategy aimed at curbing illegal imports and promoting legitimate trade.
Among the intercepted items were 5,015 bags of foreign rice—equivalent to eight trailer loads—smuggled through unapproved routes in defiance of the federal government’s 2016 fiscal policy banning the importation of foreign parboiled rice through land borders.
In addition, officers recovered 15 used vehicles suspected to have been brought into the country without valid Customs clearance, along with 640 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) weighing about 431.8 kilograms. The contraband also included 460 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)—roughly 11,500 litres—and an assortment of used clothing, shoes, and pharmaceuticals.
Comptroller Shuaibu stated that four suspects had been apprehended in connection with the seizures. They are currently undergoing investigation and will be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution once inquiries are concluded.
Beyond the seizures, the Unit recorded impressive gains in revenue recovery, raking in ₦39,269,688.71 through demand notices and enforcement actions on under-valued goods. This recovery, Shuaibu explained, reflects the Service’s vigilance in plugging revenue leakages and ensuring importers adhere strictly to valuation standards.
He reaffirmed that while the Service is intensifying its crackdown on smugglers, it remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade. The Customs boss emphasized that compliant traders have nothing to fear, as enforcement efforts target only those undermining Nigeria’s fiscal and economic policies.
“Smuggling is not just an economic crime—it is an act that sabotages national progress, destroys local industries, and threatens national security,” Shuaibu warned. He urged smugglers and their collaborators to desist from illegal trade or face the full weight of the law.
The Comptroller further noted that the Command’s achievements were made possible by the unwavering dedication of officers who work around the clock, often in difficult terrain and under harsh weather conditions. He praised their professionalism and the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs for providing strategic guidance and logistical support.
He reiterated that the Unit’s ongoing operations are part of a national mission to enforce import restrictions, safeguard the economy, and foster industrial growth by encouraging Nigerians to patronize locally produced goods.
Shuaibu also appealed to Nigerians to see Customs’ enforcement as a patriotic duty to protect the nation’s future. “We are not out to make life difficult for anyone. Our operations are to ensure that legitimate trade thrives while illegal commerce is rooted out,” he said.
Stakeholders have hailed the FOU Zone A’s performance as a clear indication of improved intelligence coordination within the Service. The rising value of seizures across land, sea, and air borders is seen as evidence that the NCS is tightening its grip on smuggling syndicates.
Analysts say the unit’s success also reinforces the Service’s role in not only generating revenue but also safeguarding national security through the interception of narcotics and other harmful goods.
As the battle against smuggling continues, the Customs Service has assured Nigerians that it will sustain its vigilance, modernize its operations, and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies to secure Nigeria’s borders and stabilize the economy.
