Customs FOU A’ Intensifies Anti-Smuggling War with N3.1bn Worth of Seizures
Nifemi Coker
The Federal Operations Unit Zone A (FOU A) has intensified surveillance and enforcement activities across the six states of the South-West geopolitical zone making 76 seizures with a duty based value of ₦3,144,680,000.00 (Three Billion, One hundred and Forty-Four Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira).
These 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.
A total of 13 suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures. While some have been granted administrative bail, others have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Speaking during a press statement earlier today, the Customs Area Controller, FOU A’, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, said: “I am pleased to report significant breakthroughs achieved by our dedicated officers and operatives through intelligence driven operations over the past three weeks. These efforts led to a total of seventy-six (76) interceptions of smuggled and contraband goods.
“Beyond enforcement, FOU Zone A also plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with import and export regulations. We continue to scrutinize questionable declarations, correct under valuations, and issue Demand Notices (DNs) where necessary.
“Between 18th July and 12th August 2025, the Unit recovered a total of ₦47,834,397.29 (Forty-Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Seven Naira, Twenty-Nine Kobo).”
He noted that the seizures were carried out through deployment of strategic intelligence gathering and in demonstration of the service’ commitment to dismantle smuggling networks and confront economic saboteurs whose actions threaten national security and undermine the fiscal policies of the federal government.
The items recovered include:
• 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
• 770 jerrycans of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil
• 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
• TCKU-1497232 – pali bitters drinks
Comptroller Shuaibu handed over the 57 parcels of Cannabis Sativa to the Deputy Commander Narcortics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nasiru Garba.
Garba in his response appreciated the CAC’s efforts in curbing smuggling and pledged the NDLEA’s support to further strengthen anti-smuggling in the state.
He said: “The NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service are partners in progress. This will go a long way in strengthening the Nigerian economy. Despite the security challenges we are facing, we have to put our hands together to achieve progress.
“The NDLEA congratulates the CAC on his effort and we look to support the Service even further.”
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