Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu (3rd from right) and an official of the NDLEA displays one pack of the seized narcotics.

The Federal Operations Unit FOU, Zone A, Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service, has in the month of September 2025, sustained its crackdown on smugglers and other economic saboteurs, which has led to the seizure of a total of 5, 015 bags of 50kg parboiled foreign rice, an equivalent of eight trailer loads, 15 exotic cars, narcotics and other contrabands with a duty paid value DPV of N1.2billion.

An official of the NAFDAC receives the seized drugs.

The Unit also seized 640 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, weighing approximately 431.8kg, 460 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit PMS, also called petrol comprising of approximately 11,500 litres, 143 bales of used clothing, two jumbo sacks of used shoes, and one sack of used clothing.

 Also intercepted within the period were 390 bottles of Codeine, 310 foreign-branded drugs, 19 cards of Tramadol, 210 pieces of used tyres and one 20-foot container with registration number: ONEU 2419369 FTC, containing 752 cartons of Calcium Lactate, which was intercepted due to false declaration-all with a DPV of N1.2billion.

An official of the NDLEA receives the seized narcotics from Comptroller Shuaibu.

Briefing newsmen at the Ikeja, Lagos office of the Unit, FOU Controller,Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, who conducted newsmen around the seized items, disclosed that the seizures occurred mainly in Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Lagos states, while four suspects were arrested in connection with the operations and would be handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution, even as the Duty Paid Value of the seizures has been put at ₦1.2billion.

Some of the seized rice.

He further disclosed that the increased seizures, all of which took place within six weeks were attributable to the decision of the Unit to intensify its anti-smuggling operations through intelligence-driven strategies, which were aimed at curbing illicit goods trafficking, safeguarding revenue, and protecting consumers from hazardous and counterfeit products.

According to him, the unit leveraged advanced surveillance and intelligence-sharing frameworks across the southwestern states, resulting in 125 successful interceptions within the six-week period.

“In demonstrating inter-agency collaboration, the seized Cannabis Sativa and pharmaceuticals would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, respectively.

I wish to remind the public that the 2016 Federal Government’s fiscal policy that banned the importation of foreign parboiled rice through land borders is still enforced. I also wish to warn that some selfish and unpatriotic individuals, who continue to defy this restriction would face the consequences because our men are firmly on ground and would continue to inflict heavy losses on their ill-fated mission.

“These seizures reaffirm the operational capability of the Unit and underscore our resolve to continuously confront economic saboteurs, who threaten national security and undermine federal government policies”, Shuaibu warned.

Available records show that from September 1- October 7, 2025, the Unit recovered a total of ₦39.3million revenue through the issuance of demand notices and enforcement against under-valuations.

While maintaining that strong enforcement, Shuaibu assured that the Unit also remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that lawful businesses operate without unnecessary hindrances.