FOU ‘A’ SEIZES N3.2BN WORTH OF CONTRABAND, RECOVERS N728.9M AS NCS INTENSIFIES WAR AGAINST SMUGGLING

FOU ‘A’ SEIZES N3.2BN WORTH OF CONTRABAND, RECOVERS N728.9M AS NCS INTENSIFIES WAR AGAINST SMUGGLING
By Prince Benson Davies

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, has intensified its enforcement drive, intercepting large volumes of contraband and recovering millions in lost revenue between July and August 2026.

The Unit said it seized 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled items with a Duty Paid Value of ₦3,237,132,640.00. In the same period, it recovered ₦728,976,725.03 through the issuance of demand notices for under-declaration, false declaration and other customs infractions.

The details were disclosed in a statement by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Hussaini Abdullahi.

According to him, the results followed stronger intelligence gathering, improved risk profiling and targeted enforcement aimed at dismantling smuggling networks and trade fraud rings operating around Lagos and the Southwest.

The seizures cut across food items, vehicles, drugs, wildlife products and petroleum.
The breakdown includes 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice in 50kg bags, equivalent to 8 trailer loads. There were also 12 foreign-used vehicles, 414 bales of used clothing and 2,947 pieces of used tyres.
Other items intercepted include 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil, 686 cartons of foreign poultry products and 964 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit totaling 24,100 litres.

On narcotics and dangerous substances, the Unit intercepted 2,683 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,439.9kg, 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg, 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg and 1 parcel of Crystal Methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg. It also seized 240,000 tablets of Tramadol and 12,000 tablets of Hypnox.
In a significant wildlife bust, 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg were also recovered.

Controller of FOU ‘A’, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, said the seizures and revenue recovery send a strong message to economic saboteurs.
“Our mandate is clear: protect government revenue, support local industries, and keep dangerous goods out of our markets. We will continue to deploy intelligence and technology to detect fraud while ensuring that legitimate trade thrives,” he said.

He explained that the interception of rice, poultry, vegetable oil, used vehicles and textiles is directly tied to protecting Nigerian farmers, manufacturers and jobs. The seizure of drugs and unregistered pharmaceuticals, he added, is aimed at safeguarding public health and preventing drug abuse among youths.

Comptroller Aliyu also noted that the recovery of elephant tusks highlights Customs’ role in the global campaign against wildlife trafficking and the protection of endangered species.

He attributed the Unit’s performance to better inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and information provided by members of the public.
“We operate on a dual mandate: robust enforcement and trade facilitation. To compliant traders, we assure you of a transparent and predictable environment. To smugglers and fraudsters, our message is simple: FOU ‘A’ will find you,” he warned.

The Nigeria Customs Service reiterated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic agenda through border security, promotion of compliance, and prevention of harmful and prohibited goods from entering the country.

The Unit acknowledged the support of sister security agencies, stakeholders, border communities and the media for their cooperation in the ongoing anti-smuggling campaign.