Comptroller Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, briefing newsmen in Lagos, Tuesday.

The Federal Operations Unit FOU Zone ‘A’, Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service NCS, has seized a total of 12 truckloads of smuggled foreign parboiled rice and 1,431 kilogrammes of hard drugs classified as synthetic cannabis, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud”, in Lagos and Ogun States. The seizures are with a duty paid value DPV, of N3.32 billion.

Newly appointed Controller of the FOU, Ikeja, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, who assumed duty in December 2025, told newsmen during maiden press briefing, Tuesday that the seizures were an “outcome of a strategic operational overhaul anchored on intelligence-led enforcement.”

It was gathered that the Unit recorded a total of 144 interceptions since the new Controller took over in December, 2025, which followed the re-organisation of patrol patterns, strengthening internal supervision and moving from predictable checkpoints to targeted deployments across the Lagos metropolis.

Details of the interceptions show that a total of 6,954 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (12 trailer loads), 77 bags of foreign sugar, 21 units of used vehicles popularly called tukunbo in local parlance, 3,362 jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit PMS, also called petrol, 915 bales of used clothing and a 20-foot container loaded with stone-coated aluminum roofing sheets.

The Comptroller officially hands over the seized hard drugs

Comptroller Aliyu also disclosed that in a major crackdown on drug trafficking, operatives of the Unit seized a total of 3,029 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing about 1,431kg in an operation he described as a “significant disruption of criminal supply networks fueling insecurity in the country.”

He said: “These seizures occurred against the backdrop of rising banditry, terrorism and other societal vices threatening national stability. Drug trafficking fuels these crimes by providing chemical stimulants that embolden perpetrators and erode social order.”

It was further gathered that the Unit lost one of its officers in the line of duty during the review period, which had also been formally communicated to the Customs headquarters in Abuja.

Recall that the Unit had penultimate week intercepted four live pangolins rescued along Alapa Creek, Ajilete, Lagos in one of its operations against the illicit trade in wildlife, which it promptly handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre so as to preserve the lives of the animals.

Also seized were a total of 581 used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle, which posed a major environmental and public health risk to the citizen, especially considering the hazardous substances and greenhouse gas emissions.

“This seizure aligns with section 55(1)(d) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the Basel Convention, both of which regulate transboundary movement of hazardous waste.

“The Unit has arrested eight suspects in connection with the seizures and are currently undergoing investigation. In line with our commitment to inter-agency collaboration, the seized cannabis would be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.

“In addition to our enforcement mandate, the Unit also took steps to block revenue leakages, which led to the recovery of N36.89 million in unpaid duty through the issuance of Demand Notices DN, on under-declared consignments and other related import-export compliance breaches between December 10, 2025 till date”, he said.

The Comptroller attributed the seizures to the gallantry and resilience of the officers as well as the unflinching support of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR through adequate motivation and providing tools for the job.

He also expressed his deep appreciation to the CGC for finding him worthy to serve in that capacity and also urged all the officers and men of the Unit to sustain the momentum in safeguarding Nigeria’s environment and national security and boost the economy by so doing.

Aliyu restated the commitment of the FOU, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos under his watch in particular and the Nigeria Customs Service as a whole to combating smuggling, trans-border crimes and economic sabotage,

He assured legitimate businessmen and traders that the Unit will stop at nothing in its efforts to facilitate legitimate trade through professionalism, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies and border communities, warning the economic saboteurs that their doomsday is here as the Unit will do everything possible to make life miserable for them if they fail to turn a new leaf.