Samson Echenim 
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, has intensified its fight against smuggling with 46 seizures worth N1.28 billion and the arrest of seven suspects in just two weeks.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, Customs Controller Mohammed Shuaibu said the operation reflected a renewed, intelligence-driven strategy to combat economic sabotage.
“These seizures are the result of our renewed vigour to fight smuggling and criminality. Our operatives have inflicted substantial losses on economic saboteurs who are bent on undermining our economy,” Shuaibu stated.
Among the key seizures were two 40-foot containers intercepted on May 23 and 24, 2025, along the Ijora-Olopa and Mile 2 axis in Lagos. Inside were dismantled vehicles—including seven Mitsubishi Canters, five Toyota Hiace buses, and three mini shuttle buses—believed to be smuggled to evade customs duties.
Other items confiscated include bulletproof vests, used bicycles, 312 bales of printed wax fabric, 23 bales of used clothing, 42 used gas cylinders, 30 flat-screen TVs, 65 tabletop cookers, and 31 used air conditioners—all violating Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff.
On May 19, a patrol team intercepted a Volvo truck at 3:00 am loaded with 1,263 used tyres and other contraband. Later the same day at 11:00 pm, another truck was seized along the Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode expressway in Ogun State for carrying bulletproof vests and packages of Tramadol.
On May 26, through intelligence-led operations, officers intercepted a seemingly empty Mercedes Benz truck. A thorough search uncovered hidden compartments filled with Cannabis Sativa. One suspect was arrested.
Across the six Southwest states, patrol teams also reported multiple seizures of foreign rice, used cars, and Cannabis Sativa from known smuggling flashpoints, including Imeko, Ilaro, Owode, Idiroko, Ilara, Ihumbo, Abeokuta, Badagry, Agbara, Gbaji, Shaki, and Iseyin.
The breakdown of seizures includes:
2,051 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), equal to four trailer loads
11 used (Tokunbo) vehicles
1,665 kg of Cannabis Sativa
4,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
A J5 bus loaded with expired goods
A Volvo truck containing 180 sacks of new towels
Shuaibu highlighted that these operations come just three weeks after he assumed leadership of the unit on April 23, 2025. In that short time, additional seizures exceeding N1.5 billion in duty-paid value have been recorded.
Asserting the NCS’s dual role in border security and trade facilitation, Shuaibu emphasized the service’s resilience against increasingly desperate smuggling tactics.
“We will not be deterred by naysayers or those seeking to undermine our officers who serve this nation with dedication—even at the cost of their lives,” he said.
He added that the seized 1,665kg of Indian hemp would be handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
“The NCS will continue implementing sustainable strategies to protect our economy, increase government revenue, and promote legitimate trade,” Shuaibu concluded.
