By Tunde Ojudun
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, has announced seizures worth over ₦3.3 billion in a sweeping crackdown on smuggling and drug trafficking across the South-West corridor.
At his maiden media briefing, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu highlighted intelligence-led patrols, stricter supervision, and renewed operational discipline as the backbone of the operation.
According to the Controller, major seizures are 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 77 bags of foreign sugar, 915 bales of used clothing, 3,300 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of smuggled petrol, 21 used vehicles, 20-foot container of roofing sheets, 581 used refrigerator compressors (environmentally hazardous), four live pangolins rescued, and 1.4 tonnes of synthetic cannabis (“Ghanaian Loud”).
The most significant interception involved 2,938 parcels of synthetic cannabis, formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). NDLEA Deputy Commander CN Muhammed Kabiru praised Customs for their diligence, stressing that the seizure would prevent substantial harm to communities.
The Unit also recovered ₦36.8 million through Demand Notices issued for cargo wrong declaration, reinforcing its role in safeguarding national revenue.
Comptroller Aliyu paid tribute to an officer who lost his life in active service, describing him as a dedicated personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of national interests.
Aliyu pledged sustained pressure on smuggling syndicates while facilitating legitimate trade, urging communities to support Customs’ enforcement efforts.