Comptroller M.S. Shuaibu displaying some of the seized items during a press briefing in Lagos, Tuesday.

The Federal Operations Unit FOU Zone A, with headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos has seized several contraband goods comprising bullet proof vests, hard drugs including Indian Hemp and Tramadol, foreign parboiled rice, used vehicles and tyres and used gas cylinders as well as Premium Motor Spirit PMS, among several others worth N1.2billion in two weeks.

The Unit has also within this period recovered a total of N48.4million, which would have been lost through issuance of demand notices DN for improper declaration of consignments in its renewed efforts to harness all revenue components and recover lost revenue from import duty evaders.

Briefing newsmen in Lagos, Tuesday, the newly appointed Controller of the Unit, Comptroller M.S. Shuabu, noted that the decision of the Unit to adopt intelligence driven operation is beginning to yield good results, as it has led to a total of 46 interceptions of unwholesome imports including military bullet proof vests with a Duty Paid Value DPV of N1.2billion within a space of 14 days.

He disclosed that May 19, 2025 at about 0300hrs hours one of the patrol teams under the Unit intercepted a Volvo truck and after investigation, it was discovered that 1,263 pieces of used tyres and other goods were concealed therein even as one suspect has been arrested.

On the same day, according to the Comptroller, at about 2300hrs, officers of the Unit on a routine patrol along Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode express way in Ogun State, intercepted one truck with registration number T24623LA suspected to be conveying un-customs goods including bullet proof vests and after thorough examination, the truck was found to contain some packets of Tramadol.

Similarly, on May 23 and 24, 2025, at about 0300hrs and 0230hrs, respectively, patrol teams under the Unit within the Lagos metropolis acting on intelligence intercepted and seized two units of 40-foot containers with containers numbers (MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090) respectively along Ijora-Olopa, and mile 2 axis.

On examination, the containers were found to be laden with seven (7) Mitsubishi Canter vans, five (5) Toyota Hiace buses, and three (3) mini shuttle buses, all dismantled into parts with clear intention of evading Customs Duties. Other items include used bicycles, 312, bales of printed wax, 23 bales of used clothing, 42 used gas cylinders, and 30 used flat screens televisions, 65 table top cookers, and 31 units of used split air conditioning and among others. The importation of these items contravenes schedule four of the common external tariff.

The Comptroller also disclosed that on May 26, 2025, at about 0600hrs on the Ijebu-Ode axis, operatives of the Unit, through intelligence-driven operations, arrested one empty Mercedes Benz truck. Thorough rummaging of the truck and careful observation by the officers led to uncovering concealment of Cannabis Sativa (India Hemp) in the compartments of the truck. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.

It was further disclosed that patrol teams around the borders areas across the six (6) states of the Southwest have intensified surveillance of our borders against unscrupulous elements among Nigerians, resulting in several seizures of rice, Cannabis Sativa, used cars and other goods in a flash points of Imeko, Ilaro, Owode, Idiroko , Ilara,  Ihumbo,Abeokuta, Badagry,  Agbara,  Gbaji, shaki and Iseyin in Oyo state

Available data show that a total 46 interceptions were recorded during this two-week period of operations comprising 2,051 50kg bags of foreign rice equivalent to four trailer loads, 11 used vehicles, popularly known as tokumbo and 1665kg of Cannabis Sativa.

Others include 4,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit PMS, one J5 commercial bus loaded with expired goods, one Volvo truck containing 180 sacks of new towels-all with a DPV Ni.5billion, while a total of seven suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures.

Comptroller Shuaibu, who restated his commitment to the deployment of intelligence-driven and geo-partial operations said: “It is pertinent to state that our renewed vigor to fight smuggling and criminalities through intelligence-driven operations has continued to pay off as the resilience and dedication of our operatives has inflicted substantial losses on some economic saboteurs who are bent on bringing our country to its knees through their nefarious activities.

“The Nigeria Customs Service as a lead agency in border security and facilitators of trade, we are not unaware of the need to balance both responsibilities through risk management tools at our disposal. We are also aware that those whose illicit businesses have been significantly hindered by our operations will spare no efforts in devising different methods to counter us.

“We would like to assure the public that we will continue to remain alive to our responsibilities and will not be deterred by naysayers or anyone intent to casting aspirations on our officers who have always paid ultimate price for the service to their country.

“As criminals get more desperate and daring, we at the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ will ensure the sustainability of a more formidable defence against any antics devised by these non-state actors. The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to design and implement sustainable programs that will grow our economy, increase revenue for the government, and encourage legitimate trade.

“When I assumed duty here, we looked at some of our institutional activities who have been relegated to the background and what we could do to boost the morales of our officers.  We understand that our monthly parades, weekly sporting activities, and conducive working atmosphere were the major concerns. As of today, we have resuscitated the monthly parades and weekly sporting activities, which i intend to invite you people, our media friends, to join us on one of these days.”

He commended the officers of the Unit for their unwavering dedication, steadfastness, gallantry, and integrity who led to these achievements. He also thanked the Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his Management for providing the tools and enabling environment as well as stakeholders and partners, especially the media, for their modest reportage.

A highpoint of the event was the handing over of the seized 1665kg of Indian hemp to the Deputy Commander of Narcotics of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, Abdul A. Maiyaki.