The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, FOU A of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted contraband and wrongly declared goods worth over ₦3.14 billion in a sweeping anti-smuggling operation across the South-West.
Over a three-week period, officers of the Unit recorded 76 interceptions and arrested 13 suspects in targeted operations carried out in strategic locations, including Ilaro, Owode, Ajilete, Imeko-Afon (Ogun State), the Ondo/Ekiti axis, Shaki and Iseyin (Oyo State), as well as various points within Lagos metropolis.
The seizures include 4,068 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), equivalent to seven trailer loads, 22 used vehicles, including two Ashok Leyland drilling trucks, and 12,125 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in 485 jerry cans.
Other items seized were 120 bales of used clothing, 57 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 47 cartons of foreign poultry products, and 770 jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil.
Eight containers were also impounded for misdeclaration and duty evasion, containing used shoes, auto spare parts, tyres, vehicles, and furniture. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all items stands at ₦3,144,680,000.00.
Additionally, the Unit recovered ₦47,834,397.29 in revenue through Demand Notices issued for under-declared imports between July 18 and August 12, 2025.
Addressing journalists in Ikeja, Lagos, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu commended his officers’ dedication and reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and economy.
“We continue to support lawful commerce through intelligence-driven operations that balance security enforcement with economic growth,” he said.
The seized Cannabis Sativa has been handed over to relevant authorities for further legal action, in line with inter-agency protocols. Some suspects have been granted administrative bail, while others remain in custody pending investigation and possible prosecution.
Comptroller Shuaibu urged members of the public to report suspicious activities to the Nigeria Customs Service, stressing that combating smuggling is essential to protecting the nation’s economy and security.
