By Steve Agbota
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Thursday, said it arrested 13 suspects with N3.145 billion worth of smuggled goods in the South West of the country.
The intercepted items include petrol, seven truckloads of rice, used cars, cannabis sativa, used clothes and other contraband.
The Customs Comptroller, FOU Zone A, Mohammed Shuaibu, while briefing newsmen on the activities of the unit in the last three weeks, stated that the seizures were made through intensified surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts.
Shuaibu disclosed that the unit has been ramping up its anti-smuggling operations in recent months, resulting in significant hauls of contraband.
He explained that the operation led to a total of 76 interceptions of smuggled and contraband goods, while 13 suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizures.
According to him, some of the suspects have since been granted administrative bail, while others have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Comptroller disclosed that all the seizures occurred at strategic points across the South-Western states, including Ilaro, Owode, Ajilete, and Imeko-Afon in Ogun State; the Ondo/Ekiti axis; Shaki and Iseyin in Oyo State; and the Lagos metropolis.
However, Shuaibu put the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized goods at N3.145 billion.
“These efforts led to a total of 76 interceptions of smuggled and contraband goods, which include the following: 4,068 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) equivalent to seven trailer loads, 22 used (tokunbo) vehicles, including two Ashok Leyland drilling trucks, 485 jerrycans of 25 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totaling 12,125 litres, 120 bales of used clothing, 57 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 47 cartons of foreign poultry products and 770 jerrycans of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil.
“In addition to these, we made notable seizures involving eight containers with misdeclared goods or attempts to evade duties. The breakdown is as follows:4x40ft containers, MSKU-1629585 – Sacks of used shoes and canvas, MSKU-0733723 – Auto spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles, TCNU-9441240 – Furniture, ACLU-9673721 – Spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles, 4x20ft containers:TEMU-4596866 – Furniture, TCLU-3866419 – Furniture, TCKU-3962096 – Furniture and TCKU-1497232 – pali bitters drinks” he said.
Shuaibu further stated that as an enforcement arm of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), its mandate remains firm and focused to safeguard the nation’s borders, protect the economy, and combat all forms of illicit trade.
He said aside from enforcement, the unit also plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with import and export regulations, and it has also continued to scrutinise questionable declarations, correct undervaluations, and issue Demand Notices (DNs) where necessary.
“Between July 18 and August 12, 2025, the unit recovered a total of N47.834 million from undervalued goods that exited the seaports.
“These seizures underscore the operational capabilities and strategic effectiveness of our operatives. They also reinforce our unwavering resolve to dismantle smuggling networks and confront economic saboteurs whose actions threaten national security and undermine the fiscal policies of the federal government,” he added.
