By ebosele@hotmail.com. —
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, marked a significant transition as outgoing Comptroller, now Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Mohammed Shuaibu, formally handed over leadership to the new Comptroller, Gombo Aliyu.
The ceremony, held at the Unit’s conference hall in Ikeja, Lagos, was attended by principal officers, patrol leaders, media representatives, and well-wishers who gathered to witness the symbolic change of command.
In his valedictory remarks, ACG Shuaibu described the handover as an important milestone in his career, expressing gratitude to Almighty God, the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, and the Service’s management for their support throughout his tenure.
He noted that leading FOU Zone A was “an honour and a privilege,” praising officers for their dedication, resilience, and teamwork. According to him, the Unit’s coordinated operations ensured notable successes against smuggling and other trans-border crimes. “Together, we confronted high-profile challenges and upheld the highest standards of professionalism in addressing emerging issues,” he said.
Reviewing his seven months in office, Shuaibu described the period as eventful and productive.
He disclosed that the Unit carried out 476 interceptions leading to 761 seizures with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N10,051,812,208.00.
Major seizures included:
23,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 38 trailer loads)
94 used vehicles
2,350 kg of Cannabis Sativa
1,820 jerrycans of PMS
Other high-profile interceptions comprised:
15 assorted rifles
4,841 rounds of ammunition
2 industrial drones
25 kg of crystal methamphetamine
4 cylinders of Russian-made explosives
$20,000 USD and 110,000 CFA (worth N31 million)
He added that eight containers of expired pharmaceutical products worth N7.5 billion were transferred to NAFDAC for investigation and further action.
On revenue recovery, ACG Shuaibu said the Unit enhanced its compliance checks on questionable imports and exports, issuing Demand Notices that generated N419,202,459.85.
While congratulating his successor, Shuaibu expressed confidence that Comptroller Aliyu would sustain the Unit’s achievements while introducing new strategies to strengthen enforcement activities.
In his acceptance remarks, Comptroller Gombo Aliyu thanked the CGC and NCS management for entrusting him with the leadership of the Unit. He commended his predecessor’s record and pledged to build on the gains recorded.
Aliyu outlined his priorities to include:
Strengthening enforcement operations
Upholding professionalism, discipline, and integrity
Enhancing collaboration with security agencies and stakeholders
Improving officers’ welfare and capacity development
Fostering transparency, teamwork, and open communication
He also highlighted three core principles that will guide his administration: Change Management, Compliance Management, and Reputational Management.
Calling for unity and renewed commitment, he assured officers of inclusive leadership and constructive engagement with the media.
The event ended with goodwill presentations from the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) and officers of the Unit, followed by a ceremonial cake-cutting to mark the transition.
