L-R: The Customs Area Controller, FOU Zone A, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, handing over illicit drug seizures to the Deputy Controller of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abdul Mayakai.
The Customs Area Controller, the customs anti-smuggling Czar at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone 'A' of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ikeja, Lagos, has descended heavily on smugglers and intercepted over N1.5 billion goods within a short period of three weeks.
Comptroller Shuaibu, who recently assumed office as the controller of the unit had his maiden press at the Ikeja headquarters of the unit yesterday.
Addressing the newsmen, he stated that the unit recorded significant successes in its anti-smuggling operations, intercepting and seizing seven 20ft containers filled with various illicit items within the Lagos metropolis.”
The seized items, according to the controller, include used tyres and vehicles, foreign parboiled rice, new shoes, and new clothes.
He gave the number of seized foreign parboiled rice as 4,085 bags.
Other seizures are 15 illegally imported foreign-used vehicles, 82 packs of Tramadol, and 246 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa.
The command boss restated the commitment of Nigeria Customs Service to combat smuggling, counterfeit products, and other forms of illicit trade. He commended the unit’s officers for their dedication even as he urged them to maintain the momentum. The seized items have a duty paid value (DPV) of N1,501,312,425.00.
Shuaibu stressed that the unit will continue to collaborate with sister security agencies and border communities to dismantle the networks engaged in illicit activities. The seized cannabis sativa were handed over to operatives of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while the tramadol capsules were handed over to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and prosecution.
The controller also disclosed that the unit generated N20,792,372.99 through demand notices and auction sales of seized petroleum products since he took over as Comptroller on April 23, 2025
He urged the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or illicit trade. He also urged declarants to remain honest in their declarations to avoid unnecessary bottlenecks. The unit’s intelligence-driven operations are designed to create a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive trading environment that will benefit stakeholders and the public.
In line with the dictate of the NCS to foster inter-agency collaboration, Compt. Shuaibu said the unit will continue to work with other agencies to combat smuggling and illicit trade.
He expressed his gratitude to the CGC and his team for the opportunity to serve and commended the dedication of the FOU Zone A officers. He also acknowledged the media for their continued support in their efforts to curb illicit trade.
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