In a decisive show of resolve to defend Nigeria’s economic frontiers, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ FOU ‘A’, Ikeja-Lagos, of the Nigeria Customs Service NCS, has smashed a huge smuggling ring, intercepting a total of 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods valued at N3.24billion in Duty Paid Value DPV.

The Unit has also recovered a total of N729million in lost duty revenue due to under-declaration, wrong classification and other forms of trade infractions designed to evade import duty payment.

The Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, while commenting on these milestones, disclosed that the operations that led to the seizures were anchored on sharpened risk profiling, rigorous compliance checks, and targeted strikes against suspicious declarations, which underscores the Unit’s unrelenting commitment to protecting local industries, protecting government revenue, and keeping Nigeria’s trade corridors free from contrabands.

The seizures recorded during the period include 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa) weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg.

Others include 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg; 240,000 tablets of Tramadol; 12,000 tablets of Hypnox; 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg; 964 pieces of 25-litre jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit PMS, equivalent to 24,100 litres; 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil containing four five-litre units; 686 cartons of foreign poultry products; 414 bales of used clothing; and 2,947 pieces of used tyres, among other prohibited and smuggled items intercepted through intelligence-led operations.

Comptroller Aliyu, who also reacted to the recovery of N729million duty revenue, described it as encouraging and reaffirmed the Unit’s determination to identify and recover revenue lost through under-declaration, false declarations, and other forms of trade fraud.

He urged importers, exporters, and licensed customs agents to ensure accurate declarations and full compliance with extant Customs laws and regulations, stressing that the Unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while taking decisive action against individuals and businesses engaged in smuggling and revenue evasion.

“The interception of foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing, and other prohibited goods would contribute to protecting domestic industries, supporting national food security, and safeguarding legitimate government revenue. Similarly, the interception of illicit drugs, unregulated pharmaceutical products, and other controlled substances contributes to protecting public health and preventing the circulation of substances capable of undermining the wellbeing of citizens, particularly young Nigerians. The recovery of elephant tusks also reinforces the Service’s role in supporting national efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.

Comptroller Aliyu said: “Let me also reassure the trading public that the Unit’s enforcement activities are being undertaken within a balanced framework that combines robust border enforcement with trade facilitation. These successes recorded during this period can be attributed to enhanced intelligence gathering, risk profiling, inter-agency collaboration, intelligence fusion, and the cooperation of stakeholders and members of the public.

“Let me further assure compliant traders that the Service is continuously commitment to creating a fair, predictable, and transparent trading environment. We however wish to warn that the Unit would sustain its zero-tolerance approach to smuggling, revenue fraud, and other forms of economic sabotage.

“To this end, the NCS, through FOU ‘A’, reiterates its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic objectives by protecting domestic production, promoting compliance, facilitating legitimate trade, and preventing the entry and circulation of prohibited and harmful goods. “The Unit appreciates the continued support of sister agencies, stakeholders, border communities, and members of the public, whose intelligence and cooperation contribute significantly to its enforcement efforts.”

He therefore called for sustained partnership from the business community and the general public, noting that collective compliance and vigilance remain essential to consolidating the gains recorded in revenue recovery, border protection, public safety, and national economic development.