In a sweeping crackdown on economic sabotage, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A has intercepted contraband valued at over ₦1.18 billion between September 1 and October 7, 2025. The Controller of the unit Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, disclosed the development during a press briefing at the Ikeja Command headquarters.
Shuaibu described the operation as a strategic effort to enforce trade laws, protect local industries, and dismantle smuggling networks across the Southwest. The seizures were the result of coordinated surveillance, intelligence-driven operations, and rapid enforcement actions.
Among the seized goods are 5,015 bags of foreign parboiled rice smuggled through illegal routes, violating Nigeria’s 2016 import ban via land borders, 15 used vehicles lacking valid customs documentation, and 640 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, weighing approximately 431.8 kg. Others are 460 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), totaling about 11,500 litres, assorted used clothing, footwear, and pharmaceuticals.
Comptroller Shuaibu said that four suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures and are currently under investigation. They will be handed over to appropriate authorities for prosecution upon conclusion of inquiries.
The unit stepped up its revenue recovery by recovering ₦39.27 million through demand notices and enforcement actions on under-valued imports. Shuaibu emphasized that this reflects the Service’s commitment to plugging revenue leakages and ensuring compliance with valuation standards.
He described smuggling has not just an economic crime but an act that sabotages national progress, destroys local industries, and threatens national security.
He reassured law-abiding traders that enforcement efforts are targeted solely at those undermining Nigeria’s fiscal policies. He praised the dedication of Customs under challenging conditions and credited the Comptroller-General of Customs for strategic leadership and support.
Shuaibu called on Nigerians to support the Service’s mission, viewing enforcement as a patriotic duty to safeguard the nation’s future. He reiterated that the crackdown is part of a broader national strategy to promote industrial growth and encourage patronage of locally made goods.
The Service has pledged to sustain its vigilance, modernize operations, and deepen collaboration with other security agencies to secure Nigeria’s borders and stabilize the economy.