The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, has intercepted 195 smuggling attempts involving goods valued at ₦6.19 billion and recovered an additional ₦683.66 million in revenue within four weeks of intensified enforcement operations.
The seizures included 3,407.83 kilogrammes of cannabis, 23,220 new matchets, 21 foreign-used vehicles, cocaine, methamphetamine, pharmaceutical products and other prohibited and restricted imports.
Acting Comptroller of the Unit, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed the figures during his maiden press briefing on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in Ikeja, Lagos.
Afeni said the seized goods had a total Duty Paid Value of ₦6,194,695,947.05, while revenue recovery through compliance checks and scrutiny of import declarations amounted to ₦683,661,304.05 between September 30 and November 3, 2026.
He attributed the revenue recovery to risk profiling, targeted examination of suspicious declarations, correction of under-valuations and the issuance of Demand Notices.
The seized items included foreign rice, frozen poultry, spaghetti, used clothing, tyres, petroleum products, pharmaceutical preparations and other restricted imports.
The rice seizures comprised 3,028 bags of 50kg, 995 bags of 25kg, 104 bags of 20kg and 207 bags of 5kg.
Customs operatives also intercepted 5,986 parcels of Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica weighing 3,407.83kg, 400 grammes of cocaine and 100 grammes of methamphetamine.
Other items included 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry, 6,949 cartons of spaghetti, 20 cartons of couscous, 101 bags of imported sugar, eight bags of powdered creamer milk and 12 bags of grain oat products.
The Unit further seized 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, 1,236 used tyres, 33 used rims and 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
The seizures also included 57 cartons, 37 packs and six pieces of Codeine Syrup, eight live pangolins, 1,250 rounds of 12-calibre Red Star cartridges, 250 cartons of Lotus sardines without NAFDAC registration numbers and 21 foreign-used vehicles.
Customs operatives intercepted 11 means of conveyance allegedly used in smuggling and a 40-foot container, numbered SEGU 5347239, containing 2,760 office chairs in Completely Knocked Down form.
Afeni expressed concern over the volume of cannabis intercepted, warning that illicit drugs posed threats to public health, youth development, family stability and national security.
He said the seizure would disrupt supply chains, deny criminal networks proceeds from illegal sales and prevent the drugs from reaching potential consumers.
“These seizures go beyond mere statistics. They represent revenue recovered for the Federation, local industries protected, and lives saved from dangerous and substandard goods,” he said.
The Acting Comptroller also raised security concerns over the interception of 23,220 new matchets allegedly imported without the required certificates and permits.
He warned that the unauthorized movement of such items could create security challenges, particularly as the country prepares for forthcoming elections, and stressed the importance of sustained border surveillance and intelligence-led enforcement.
Afeni said the Unit had strengthened cooperation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Army, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.
He said seized narcotics and suspects would be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and possible prosecution, while other prohibited items would be transferred to relevant agencies.
The Acting Comptroller assured legitimate importers and licensed Customs agents that the Unit would continue to facilitate lawful trade while taking action against fraudulent declarations, duty evasion and other violations of Customs laws.
He urged Nigerians, particularly stakeholders in the trading and transport sectors, to report suspicious activities and provide credible information to help disrupt smuggling networks.
Afeni commended Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the Service’s management for their support, while praising officers of the Unit for their discipline and commitment.
He said the enforcement drive would focus not only on seizures and revenue recovery but also on reducing smuggling, improving border security and protecting legitimate businesses.
The Acting Comptroller reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations, revenue protection and the enforcement of Customs laws, warning that deliberate violations would attract appropriate legal action.