The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, has intercepted smuggled goods with a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1.28 billion during a two-week anti-smuggling operation across Lagos and Oyo States.
The operations led to the seizure of two 40ft containers, 11 vehicles, and a wide range of prohibited items, as well as the arrest of seven suspects, according to the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, who briefed journalists on Tuesday at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja.
Breakdown of Seized Items
Highlighting the seizures made in May, Shuaibu said that Customs officers intercepted two 40-foot containers along the Ijora-Olopa and Mile 2 axis of Lagos. Upon examination, the containers were discovered to be loaded with cut-up vehicle parts, including:
- Seven Mitsubishi Canter trucks
- Five Toyota Hiace buses
- Three mini shuttle buses
He described this as a deliberate attempt to evade Customs duties through the smuggling of disassembled vehicles.
Other seized items included:
- 312 bales of printed wax fabric
- 23 bales of used clothing
- 42 used gas cylinders
- 30 used flat-screen televisions
- 65 tabletop cookers
- 31 used split-unit air conditioners
- Used bicycles
Shuaibu stressed that these items contravene Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff (CET), which outlines import restrictions and duty exemptions.
Drug and Arms-Related Seizures
The Controller further disclosed that Customs intercepted a Volvo truck during the period, loaded with 1,263 pieces of used tyres and other contraband. One suspect was arrested in connection with the haul.
In another significant bust, officers on routine patrol along the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway in Ogun State intercepted a truck (reg. number T24623LA) believed to be carrying military-grade contraband. The contents were later found to include bulletproof vests and tramadol a controlled substance often abused and smuggled.
Additionally, an empty Mercedes Benz truck was stopped by the Ijebu-Ode Patrol team, where a meticulous search uncovered concealed cannabis sativa in its compartments. A suspect was taken into custody for the offence.
Expanded Surveillance and Border Operations
Comptroller Shuaibu noted that FOU Zone A has ramped up surveillance across strategic flashpoints in Ogun and Oyo border communities, including:
- Imeko, Ilaro, Idiroko, Ilara, Ihumbo, Abeokuta
- Badagry, Agbara, Gbaji, Shaki, and Iseyin
In these areas, officers seized multiple items including:
- Four trailer loads of smuggled rice
- 1,665kg of cannabis sativa
- 4,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
- Expired goods conveyed in a J5 commercial bus
- 180 sacks of new towels smuggled in a Volvo truck
In total, 46 interceptions were made during the two-week period, with seven suspects arrested in connection with the contraband.
Customs Vows Zero Tolerance for Smuggling
Shuaibu reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to its dual mandate of border security and trade facilitation. He noted that the NCS employs advanced risk management tools and intelligence-driven operations to stay ahead of smugglers’ tactics.
“We are also aware that those whose illicit businesses have been significantly hindered by our operations will spare no efforts in devising new methods to counter us,” he said.
He assured the public that the Customs Service remains vigilant and undeterred by criticism or attempts to undermine its enforcement efforts.
“Our patrol teams are more alert than ever. We remain alive to our responsibilities and will not be distracted by naysayers,” he concluded.
