Customs FOU A Foils ₦1.18 Billion Contraband Smuggling Attempt in Southwest Nigeria
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made significant seizures worth over ₦1.18 billion in its crackdown on economic saboteurs.
Led by Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, the unit’s Area Controller, the seizures were made possible through intelligence-driven strategies and advanced surveillance across southwestern states.
“We have intensified our anti-smuggling operations through intelligence-driven strategies, which were aimed at curbing illicit goods trafficking, safeguarding revenue, and protecting consumers from hazardous and counterfeit products”, Shuaibu said while addressing journalists at the Unit in Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday.
The seized items include 5,015 bags of 50kg foreign rice, equivalent to 8 trailer loads, 15 used vehicles popularly known as tokumbo, 640 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, weighing approximately 431.8kg, 460 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit, about 11,500 litres, 143 bales of used clothings, two jumbo sacks of used shoes, 390 bottles of codeine, 310 foreign branded drugs, 19 cards of Tramadol, 210 pieces of used tyres, one 20-foot container (ONEU 2419369 FCT) containing 752 cartons of Calcium Lactate that was intercepted for false declaration and various other contraband goods.
Shuaib disclosed that all the seized items have a total Duty Paid Value of N1,188,830,600.00, a pointer to an enhanced surveillance by the Unit.
Four suspects according to him, were arrested in connection with the operations and will face prosecution.
In line with inter-agency collaboration, the seized Cannabis Sativa and pharmaceutical products would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), respectively.
“The Federal Operations Unit Zone A remained firm and focused on safeguarding the nation’s borders, protecting the economy, and combating all forms of illicit activities”, the CAC emphasised.
He warned that those who defy the law will face consequences, stating, “some selfish and unpatriotic individuals who continue to defy this restriction will face the consequences, and our men will continue to inflict heavy losses on their ill-fated mission”.
The unit recovered ₦39,269,688.71 through demand notices and enforcement against under-valuations between September 1 and October 7, 2025. Shuaibu assured that the unit will continue to facilitate legitimate trade while combating smuggling and safeguarding Nigeria’s economy.
“The Federal Operations Unit Zone A remains unwavering in its commitment to combating smuggling and safeguarding Nigeria’s economy”, he said, adding that through sustained intelligence-led operations and strategic deployment of advanced surveillance technologies, the unit will continue to secure Nigeria’s borders, protect national revenue, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
