The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 21 units of smuggled used vehicles in Lagos as part of intensified operations aimed at curbing vehicle smuggling and other forms of illicit trade across its area of responsibility.
The Comptroller of the Unit, Mr. Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this on Tuesday during his inaugural press briefing in Ikeja, noting that the seizures were recorded through intelligence-driven enforcement strategies adopted by the command in recent weeks.
Aliyu explained that the seized vehicles were part of 144 smuggling attempts intercepted by the Unit, involving various prohibited and uncustomed goods with a cumulative duty paid value (DPV) of over ₦3.3 billion. He said the vehicles were smuggled into the country without proper documentation, in violation of existing customs laws and government fiscal policies.
According to him, vehicle smuggling continues to undermine government revenue, distort the automobile market and pose security risks, stressing that the Unit remains resolute in dismantling syndicates involved in the illegal importation of vehicles through land borders and unauthorised routes.
The Comptroller noted that the interception of the vehicles was complemented by the seizure of other contraband items, including foreign parboiled rice, sugar, used clothing, premium motor spirit (PMS), vegetable oil and a container of stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets, all smuggled into the country in defiance of customs regulations.
Aliyu said some of the vehicles were used to conceal other prohibited items, including 581 used refrigerator compressors, which pose serious environmental and public health risks due to the hazardous substances they contain.
He added that the seizure aligns with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and Nigeria’s obligations under the Basel Convention on the control of transboundary hazardous waste.
He further disclosed that eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the various seizures, including the smuggled vehicles, while investigations are ongoing to dismantle the wider smuggling networks behind the operations.
In addition to enforcement activities, the Comptroller revealed that the Unit recovered ₦36.89 million in revenue through demand notices issued for cargo misdeclaration and other compliance breaches between December 10, 2025 and date.
Aliyu reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to combating vehicle smuggling, protecting government revenue and ensuring a level playing field for legitimate importers and traders. He urged members of the public to support the Service by providing timely intelligence on smuggling activities, assuring that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Service Management for their support, while paying tribute to an officer of the Unit who lost his life in the line of duty, describing the sacrifice as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by officers in the course of protecting the nation’s economic and security interests.
