The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, has dramatically escalated its anti-smuggling efforts, seizing illicit goods valued at over ₦1.2 billion and apprehending seven suspects across 46 operations within the past two weeks.

Controller Mohammed Shiaibu announced the significant victories to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, attributing the successes to aggressive, intelligence-led strategies designed to dismantle smuggling networks and economic sabotage.

“These seizures demonstrate our renewed vigor in fighting smuggling and criminality,” Shiaibu asserted. “Our operatives have inflicted substantial losses on economic saboteurs who actively undermine our economy.”

In a pivotal operation on May 23 and 24, 2025, Customs patrol teams intercepted two 40-foot containers—MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090—around 3:00 am and 2:30 am, respectively, along the Ijora-Olopa and Mile 2 axis in Lagos. Upon inspection, officers discovered seven Mitsubishi Canters, five Toyota Hiace buses, and three mini shuttle buses, all meticulously dismantled to evade customs duties.

Additional seizures include bulletproof vests, used bicycles, 312 bales of printed wax, 23 bales of used clothing, 42 used gas cylinders, 30 used flat-screen TVs, 65 tabletop cookers, and 31 units of used split air conditioners. Shiaibu emphasized that these items directly violate Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff.

Further extending their reach, a patrol team on May 19, 2025, at approximately 3:00 am, intercepted a Volvo truck laden with 1,263 used tires and other contraband. Officers promptly arrested one suspect linked to the interception.

Shiaibu firmly reiterated the unit’s unwavering commitment to intensifying anti-smuggling efforts, issuing a stern warning to perpetrators that the service will relentlessly pursue its mission to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and national security.

In a related operation on May 19, 2025, at about 11:00 pm, officers on routine patrol along the Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode expressway in Ogun State intercepted a truck, registration number T24623LA, suspected of transporting uncustomed goods, including bulletproof vests. Subsequent investigation revealed the truck also carried packages of Tramadol.

Through intelligence-driven operations, on May 26, 2025, at approximately 6:00 am, the Ijebu-Ode patrol team arrested an empty Mercedes Benz truck. A thorough search of the truck and careful observation by officers led to the discovery of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) hidden within the vehicle’s compartments. One suspect was apprehended in connection with this seizure.

Moreover, patrol teams stationed along border areas across the six Southwestern states have significantly intensified surveillance against unscrupulous elements, resulting in numerous seizures of rice, Cannabis Sativa, used cars, and other goods in flashpoints such as Imeko, Ilaro, Owode, Idiroko, Ilara, Ihumbo, Abeokuta, Badagry, Agbara, Gbaji, Shaki, and Iseyin in Oyo state.

In all, the Controller said, “46 interceptions were recorded during these two (2) weeks of operations, comprising the following:

2051X50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice equivalent to 4 trailer loads, 11 used vehicles, popularly known as Tokunbo vehicles, 1665kg of Cannabis Sativa, 4000 litres of premium motor spirit. (PMS), One white and Black J5 commercial Bus loaded with expired goods, one Volvo Truck containing 180 sacks of new towels.

Seven suspects, Shuaibu said, were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which have a duty paid value (DPV) of one billion, two hundred and eighty-five million, six hundred thousand, three hundred and eighty-three naira only.

These seizures, he said, “came on the heels of successes recorded in our anti-smuggling activities just 3 weeks after I resume the leadership of the unit on the 23rd of April 2025, which saw seizures of over 7 trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice, premium motor spirit, vehicles, drugs and narcotics among others with a duty paid value of over 1.5 billion naira.

The Nigeria Customs Service, as a lead agency in border security and facilitators of trade, he said, “is not unaware of the need to balance both responsibilities through risk management tools at our disposal. We are also aware that those whose illicit businesses have been significantly hindered by our operations will spare no effort in devising different methods to counter us.”

Shuaibu, therefore, assured the public that the service will continue to remain alive to its responsibilities and will not be deterred by naysayers or anyone intent on casting aspersions on its officers who have always paid the ultimate price for the service to their country.

“As criminals get more desperate and daring, we at the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ will ensure the sustainability of a more formidable defence against any antics devised by these non-state actors. The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to design and implement sustainable programs that will grow our economy, increase revenue for the government, and encourage legitimate trade,” he vowed