The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted contrabands worth N3.1billion in three weeks.
Briefing Journalists in Lagos on Thursday, the Controller of the Command, Mohammed Shuaibu disclosed that the seized items were used cars, seven truckloads of rice, petrol, cannabis sativa, used clothings among others.
According to Shuaibu, the seizures were made possible following increased surveillance and intelligence reports.
Explaining further, said most of the seizures were in the South West, mainly at Ilaro, Owode, Ajilete, and Imeko-Afon in Ogun State.
Others were at the Ondo/Ekiti axis; Shaki and Iseyin in Oyo State and Lagos areas.
He disclosed that 13 suspects were arrested in connection with the 76 interceptions of the smuggled items.
According to the Controller, “These efforts led to a total of 76 interceptions of smuggled and contraband goods, which include the following:4,068 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) equivalent to seven trailer loads, 22 used (tokunbo) vehicles, including two Ashok Leyland drilling trucks, 485 jerrycans of 25 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totaling 12,125 litres, 120 bales of used clothing, 57 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 47 cartons of foreign poultry products and 770 jerrycans of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil.
“In addition to these, we made notable seizures involving eight containers with misdeclared goods or attempts to evade duties.
The breakdown is as follows:4x40ft containers, MSKU-1629585 – Sacks of used shoes and canvas, MSKU-0733723 – Auto spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles, TCNU-9441240 – Furniture, ACLU-9673721 – Spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles, 4x20ft containers: TEMU-4596866 – Furniture, TCLU-3866419 – Furniture, TCKU-3962096 – Furniture and TCKU-1497232 – pali bitters drinks.”
Shuaibu added that the Unit was able to collect the sum of N47.834 million from the issuance of Demand Notices (DNs) on undervalued goods cleared from the ports between July 18 and August 12, 2025.
He explained that while the unit maintain vigilance against smuggling and fraud, it remains a strong partner in trade facilitation.
“We continue to support legitimate trade through intelligence-driven operations that strike a balance between security enforcement and economic growthensuring that lawful traders are not unduly hindered in the process.
” I commend the tireless efforts of our operatives and reaffirm our steadfast commitment to securing our nation’s borders against all forms of economic sabotage. We will not relent in our mission to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment and protect our economy from illicit trade practices”.
