Comptroller Aliyu recently handed over N1.3billion worth of illicit drugs to official of the NDLEA

Comptroller Gambo I. Aliyu has since the last six months when he mounted the saddle at the Federal Operations Unit FOU, Zone A, Lagos, of the Nigeria Customs Service, introduced cutting-edge technologies that have redefined and revolutionised anti-smuggling operations, foiling over 674 smuggling attempts within the period, reports FRANCIS EZEM.

On assumption of duty on December 10, 2025, Comptroller Gambo I. Aliyu left no one in doubt that he is on a mission to redefine and revolutionise anti-smuggling operations at the country’s foremost enforcement Unit. The Unit is most strategic in the sense that it provides enforcement to Nigeria’s two busiest land borders; the Idiroko and Seme, and the two biggest seaports, the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports Complexes. This is in addition to the country’s busiest airport in terms of passenger and cargo traffic; the Murtala International Airport as well as other trade routes across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ondo States.

Obviously conscious of the enormity of the job waiting for him, he hit the ground running from day one, as he outlined his strategic priorities for the Unit, which include enhanced enforcement operations, improved stakeholder collaboration, sustained capacity building, and professionalism across all ranks.

“My doors will remain open to the officers and men of the Unit. I encourage teamwork, constructive ideas and transparency in all dealings. Together, we shall continue to strengthen the reputation of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ as a formidable enforcement unit and a dependable protector of Nigeria’s socio-economic interests,” he had told officers and men of the Unit on his first day at work.

As visionary and purpose-driven leader, who strongly believes in team work, he hinted of his intention to operate under a robust stakeholder engagement, pledging to deepen collaborations with sister agencies and community leaders. He also emphasised the fact that justice, equity and fairness would guide all enforcement activities under his leadership.

Compt. Aliyu flanked by senior officers of the Unit showcases some recently seized exotic cars during a press conference in Lagos.

It was in a bid to re-orientate and bring the officers and men of the Unit up to speed and shape and to sharpen them for the task ahead that he organised a capacity building training for them early in the year. The training, which was basically a reputation management workshop, was designed to boost public trust. The workshop was also to strengthen professionalism, stakeholder relations and public confidence among the officers, citing the strategic importance of reputation in modern public service.

“Public trust stands as our most precious asset. Reputation is far more than a personal virtue; it forms the bedrock of our institution’s integrity, effectiveness and long-term success,” he said.

Aliyu noted that officers operate under intense public scrutiny and must demonstrate professionalism at all times.

“A single act of misconduct, poor stakeholder engagement or insensitive public communication could erode years of institutional goodwill, while consistent transparency and responsiveness would strengthen public confidence,” he had warned.

He highlighted recent improvements in the Service’s integrity ratings, citing recognition from Transparency International assessments. According to him, sustaining this progress requires continuous training, ethical discipline and proactive stakeholder engagement.

With the completion of the training and retraining of the officer, he moved into the next phase of his action-plan, which is the deployment of modern technology in gathering intelligence, which is a very crucial element of his assignment. He strongly believes that one cannot do things in the same old way and expect a different result.

He had observed that the Unit had before now relied heavily on Open Source Intelligence OSINT, and Human Intelligence HUMINT, which might not deliver the kind of outcome he expected. Thus, he commenced the process of adopting Geo-Intelligence GeoINT, which would significantly improve operational efficiency and intelligence gathering.

Comptroller Gambo also noted that the deployment of GeoINT and geospatial intelligence technology are part of the Unit’s operational transformation from reactive to predictive enforcement, both of which are designed to improve border security and combat smuggling activities across the country. He added that the deployment of geospatial intelligence would improve operational precision, resource allocation and monitoring of smuggling route.

He said: “We are at the point of transitioning from reactive enforcement to predictive enforcement. We are leaning towards GeoINT because it gives us more predictability and allows us to geo-map routes for a more targeted approach at our interdictions.

“In alignment with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for a modern, technology- driven Nigeria Customs Service, the FOU Zone ‘A’ is aggressively advancing the digitisation of its operations. We are integrating cutting-edge technologies, particularly geospatial intelligence, to curb unwholesome practices including smuggling, under declaration, duty evasion, and illicit trafficking.

“These includes the deployment of Geographic Information Systems GIS, satellite imagery, drone surveillance, real-time vehicle tracking, and predictive analytics to map high-risk border corridors, monitor smuggling hot spots in real time across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states, and enable proactive, intelligence-led operations.

“Geospatial tools allow us to overlay seizure data, movement patterns of contraband such as rice, used vehicles, narcotics, and intelligence reports on digital maps. This facilitates better resource allocation, rapid response, and disruption of supply chains before they reach our highways. The recent commissioning of our new state-of-the-art Command Headquarters at Iperu in Ogun State provides the perfect infrastructure backbone for this modernisation drive.”

Little wonder the Unit has in the last six months made jaw-dropping seizures comprising foreign rice, narcotics, Premium Motor Spirit PMS, wild life, automobiles, used clothes and other assorted chemicals. This is in addition is in addition to recovery of lost revenue through the issuance of Demand Notices DN. For instance, between December 10, 2025- February 3, 2026, the Unit made a total of 144 interceptions, which followed the re-organisation of the patrol patterns, strengthening internal supervision and shifting from predictable checkpoints to targeted deployments across the Lagos metropolis.

These interceptions led to the seizure of contraband goods within Lagos and Ogun States worth N3.32billion. The seized goods include 12 trucks of foreign parboiled rice, 1,431 kg of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Ghanaian Loud, 77 bags of foreign sugar, 21 units of used vehicles, 3,362 jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of PMS, 915 bales of used clothing and a 20-foot container loaded with stone-coated aluminum roofing sheets; all with a duty paid value DPV of N3.32 billion.

The Unit also in a major crackdown on drug trafficking, intercepted 3,029 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing about 1,431kg, which Comptroller Aliyu described as a significant disruption of criminal supply networks fueling insecurity in the country.

“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,” he said.

The Unit also recorded notable environmental and wildlife-related seizures including four live pangolins rescued along Alapa Creek, Ajilete, which were promptly handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre.

Similarly, the Unit within the period under review seized 581 used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle, which pose serious environmental and public health risks due to hazardous substances and greenhouse gas emissions.

It was gathered that the seizure is in compliance 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. A total of eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and are under investigation.

In line with inter-agency collaboration, the Unit has handed the seized cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, for further investigation and prosecution.

Aside enforcement operations, the Unit also recovered N36.89 million between December 10, 2025 and February 3, 2026 through demand notices issued against cargo under-declaration and other import-export compliance breaches.

Speaking with newsmen on these seizures, Comptroller Aliyu reaffirmed the commitment of the Service to combating smuggling, trans-border crimes and economic sabotage, while facilitating legitimate trade through professionalism, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies and border communities. He also expressed gratitude to the CGC for all the support and encouragement, without which the seizures would have been impossible.

Not basking in the euphoria of the past, Comptroller Aliyu galvanized his operatives and further intensified the Unit’s advanced surveillance, intelligence sharing frameworks, and inter-agency collaboration, which enabled the operatives to thwart a total of 473 smuggling attempts within eight weeks covering part of February up to May, 2026.

As part of measures to further boost its operations, the Unit had also reinforced its anti-smuggling strategies to continuously cut supply chain networks in drug trafficking with the launch of an operation code named ‘OPERATION HAWK’, designed to curb illicit goods trafficking, safeguard revenue, protect, the Nigerian society and environment from incidences of crime, criminalities and pervasive societal vices that threaten national stability, which is currently yielding results.

The Unit seized N5.5billion worth of contraband goods including cocaine and other illicit drugs, cannabis, PMS, dangerous chemicals such as mercury, foreign parboiled rice, automobiles, foreign vegetable oil and other refrigerator compressors, among several other dangerous and harmful products. It also facilitated the recovery of N98million in lost import revenue through the issuance of demand notices on consignments associated with under-declaration, under-invoicing, and other import-export related breaches within the review period.

Details of the seizures indicate that a total of 8,794 bags of 50kg foreign rice (15 trailer loads), 22 units of exotic used vehicles called tokunbo in local parlance, 1,863 pieces of used refrigerator compressors, 328 bales of used clothing, 1,188 kegs of 25-litre vegetable oil and 31, 705 litres of PMS were intercepted during the eight-week period. Also seized were 485 pieces used tyres, 69 cartons of foreign Bonita spaghetti, 24 bags of 50kg foreign sugar and five cartons of ST Louis sugar as well as 531 cartons of foreign poultry products.

The Unit’s OPERATION HAWK, which is an offensive against illicit drug smuggling has started to yield result, as operatives successfully seized 3,340 parcels of synthetic strain of cannabis indica and 1,540kg of Ghanaian loud.

Speaking on these seizures during a recent media engagement in Lagos, Comptroller Aliyu said: “This effort is an affirmation of our commitment in the fight against drugs smuggling syndicates in the Zone. Our analysis of the trend in recent times, indicates that the traffickers are devising different methods to perpetuate illicit trade, therefore, there is the need for critical security stakeholders to upscale their intelligence sharing mechanism to cut the supply chain completely. In addition to leveraging modern technologies for intelligence gathering,

I have also constituted and effectively coordinated a specialised team responsible for integrating Human Intelligence HUMINT, and Open Source Intelligence OSINT, operations, which is already yielding positive and measurable results.”

In a separate operation, operatives of the Unit at the Gbaji outpost acting on credible intelligence at about 0645hrs on Thursday April 30, 2026, intercepted a green Toyota Highlander SUV driven by one Mr. Oni Iredia Martins, a 71year old male Nigerian citizen suspected to convey Narcotics substances.

It was gathered that on examination of the vehicle, six parcels of cocaine substance, with two parcels of the powdered substance Cocaine weighing 2.3kg, and four parcels of the Methamphetamine weighing 4.1kg of crack cocaine, all totaling 6.4kg of the illicit substance were discovered.

The consignment, it was further learnt, was intercepted at Elijah Bus stop along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, with a street value of approximately N2.35billion, even as several other seizures were made across the borders in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo States, while several defendants were arrested in connection with the operations.

In line with the Unit’s inter-agency collaboration policy, the seized 1,540kg of synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’, totaling 3,340 Compressed packages, together with the 6.4kg of Cocaine and Methamphetamine, were handed over to officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, for further investigation and prosecution.

The ever-vigilant officers of the Unit on duty also seized four cylinders of a chemical confirmed to be high grade mercury, which is believed to be illegally used in small scale mining of gold. The chemical, which is also is dual purpose, poses significant environmental hazards and is controlled by the Minamoto Convention on Mercury.

It was also learnt that the chemical was concealed in the false bottom segment in the trunk of a Toyota Avensis at the Gbaji Outpost, along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, while the arrest was effected together with a male suspect who has been granted administrative bail, as investigation has reached an advanced stage. The items and the suspect were promptly handed over to NESREA in furtherance of the Unit’s function as directed by Customs headquarters.

Comptroller Aliyu, who reaffirmed the Unit’s resolve against all forms of illicit trade said: “These seizures underscore the operational prowess and strategic effectiveness of our operatives. They also reinforce our unwavering dedication to disrupt smuggling networks and confront economic saboteurs whose actions threaten national security and undermine the fiscal policies of the federal government headlong.

They also underscore the Unit’s unwavering commitment to the recovery of unpaid duty, interception of under-declared consignments, and strict enforcement of the Federal Government’s fiscal policies. The ₦5.5billion DPV further demonstrates the significant contribution of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ to national revenue mobilisation efforts, while simultaneously dealing a heavy blow to economic saboteurs and smugglers who attempt to undermine the nation’s economic interests.

These achievements further reinforce our resolve to maintain a high level of operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility in line with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs.”

The Unit under Comptroller Aliyu has no doubt done well in the last six months. We therefore appeal to stakeholders across board for their support and cooperation to enable him sustain this tempo and even surpass this superlative performance.