Shuaibu Runs Activities of Economic Saboteurs Aground, As FOU ‘A’ Customs Records 125 Seizures worth over N1.18Bn DPV in 6 Weeks … Fake, Expired Medicament High-point of Seizures

Shuaibu Runs Activities of Economic Saboteurs Aground, As FOU ‘A’ Customs Records 125 Seizures worth over N1.18Bn DPV in 6 Weeks

 … Containers of Fake, Expired Medicament High-point of Seizures

Comptroller MS Shuaibu, Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, NCS

“The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ remained “firm and focused on safeguarding our nation’s borders, protecting the economy, and combating all forms of illicit activities.” – Comptroller MS Shuaibu

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had continued to sustain its remarkable crackdown against activities of smugglers and economy saboteurs in the nation’s south west region as it recently showcased humongous seizures and impressive revenue collection support in the last one month.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, 7th October 2025 on the recent activities and achievements of the unit, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, the Controller In Charge of the Unit under whose watch the achievements was recorded expressed the unit’s continued commitment to fighting smuggling, noting that the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ remained “firm and focused on safeguarding our nation’s borders, protecting the economy, and combating all forms of illicit activities.

Comptroller Shuaibu addressing the press

Continuing, Comptroller Shuaibu said his led management as a foremost enforcement arm of the service had continued to leverage on its robust intelligence-driven strategies, and had intensified its anti-smuggling operations 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, and successfully recorded 125 interceptions with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Billion, One Hundred and Eighty Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Six Hundred Naira Only (N1,188,830,600.00) within a six-week period.

Breakdown of the seizure recorded were listed to include: 5,015 bags of 50kg foreign rice (equivalent to 8 trailer loads); 15 used (Tokunbo) vehicles; 640 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, weighing approximately 431.8kg; 460 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (about 11,500 litres).

Comptroller Shuaibu handing over the seized Cannabis Sativa to NDLEA during the press briefing

Others are 143 bales of used clothing, Two Jumbo sacks of used shoes, and One sack of used clothing; 210 pieces of used tyres

On medicament, Comptroller MS Shuaibu statement as signed by the unit’s Public Relations Officer CSC Hussaini Abdullahi,

Public Relations Officer, further indicated that about         390 bottles of Codeine, 310 foreign-branded drugs, and 19 cards of Tramadol, and One 20-foot container (ONEU 2419369 FTC) containing 752 cartons of Calcium Lactate, intercepted “for false declaration”, were all contained in the list of the unit’s seizures during the reviewed period.

Shuaibu showcasing one of the seized containers laden with fake, expired medicament

Similarly, he stated that the seizures were effected in Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Lagos states corridors within the unit’s jurisdiction, with four (4) defendants arrested in connection with the operations and were eventually handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

He revealed that a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1,188,830,600.00 was recorded during the period, noting that it reflected the scale of their operations.

Meanwhile,in demonstrating robust inter-agency collaboration, Comptroller Shuaibu during the briefing event handed over the seized Cannabis Sativa and pharmaceuticals to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), respectively.

The Rice seizure

However, the leveraged on the occasion to remind the public that “the 2016 federal government fiscal policy that bans the importation of foreign parboiled rice through land borders is still enforced.” He warned that “some selfish and unpatriotic individuals who continue to defy this restriction” would face the consequences, stating firmly that “our men will continue to inflict heavy losses on their ill-fated mission.”

Some of the seized Vehicles

He also emphasized that the above referenced seizures further reaffirmed the operational capability of the unit and which underscore his led management resolve to continuously confront economic saboteurs who threaten national security and undermine federal government policies.

In the same positive performance feat vein, Comptroller Shuaibu also disclosed that from 1st September to 7th October 2025, the unit recovered a total if N39,269,688.71 through the issuance of Demand Notices (DN) and enforcement against under-valuations to support the revenue collection drive of the zone.

On trade facilitation, Shuaibu, while maintaining strong enforcement capacities, as well assured that the unit under his watch also remained committed to facilitation of legitimate trade and ensuring that lawful businesses operate without unnecessary hindrance.

He concluded by reiterating the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ unwavering commitment to combating smuggling and safeguarding Nigeria’s economy, adding that through sustained intelligence-led operations and the strategic deployment of advanced surveillance technologies, the unit would continue to secure Nigeria’s borders, protect national revenue, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.