3 Weeks’ Onslaught against Economic Saboteurs Fetches FOU ‘A’ Customs Contraband Seizures Worth over N3.1Bn
… As Shuaibu Sustains Intelligence Driven Operations, with Zero Casualty
Comptroller MS Shuaibu, Controller, FOU ‘A’, Addressing the media at the Press Briefing
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service under the watchful eyes of Comptroller MS Shuaibu has continued its vigorous but intelligence driven onslaught against activities of unpatriotic Nigerians who continued to indulge in the illicit trade of smuggling and other saboteurs of the nation’s economy.
An interesting three (3) weeks of anti-smuggling operations by operatives of the unit against these nefarious elements was said to have according to Comptroller MS Shuaibu produced humongous harvest of offensive items and consignments with a lump sum of over N3.144billion in worth of Duty Paid Value (DPV).
This disclosure was made on Thursday August 14, 2025 when the Customs Anti-Smuggling Czar, Comptroller MS Shuaibu, briefed the media on activities of his led enforcement operations against recalcitrant smugglers and economic saboteurs within the South West Zone in the last three (3) weeks.
Shuaibu explaining issues relating to some of the seizures
The Controller did not mince his words when he said that the Unit under his watch have taken the battle against unwholesome activities of unpatriotic Nigerians who indulged in such nefarious trade of smuggling, to another dimension, as the adopted robust intelligence profiling measures of its operations is yielding massive results, with casualties reduced to the barest minimum (Zero Casualties as at present), since his advent.
During the significant press briefing, the elated Comptroller MS Shuaibu showcased assorted contraband items worth over N3.1billion, arrests of about Thirteen (13) suspects, as well as revealation of some antics adopted by the elements to beat security – a case in point of a bunker stacked with cannabis, which was created under the back seat of a Toyota car as showcased during the press briefing.
“As an enforcement arm of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), our mandate remains firm and focused to safeguard our nation’s borders, protect the economy, and combat all forms of illicit trade.
“In line with this mandate, the Federal Operations Unit Zone A (FOU A) has intensified surveillance and enforcement activities across the six states of the South-West geopolitical zone.
“Today, I am pleased to report significant breakthroughs achieved by our dedicated officers and operatives through intelligence driven operations over the past 3 weeks”, Comptroller Shuaibu was quoted.
His press briefing stated that a total of seventy-six (76) interceptions of smuggled and contraband goods were recorded.
They however include: 4,068 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) which is equivalent to seven trailer loads; 22 used (Tokunbo) vehicles, including two Ashok Leyland drilling trucks; 485 Jerrycans of 25 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totaling 12,125 litres; 120 bales of used clothing; 57 parcels of Cannabis Sativa; 47 cartons of foreign poultry products; and 770 Jerrycans of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil
Additionally, notable seizures involving Eight (8) Containers with mis-declared goods or attempts to evade duties were recorded with the following breakdown.
4x40ft containers Nos MSKU-1629585 laden with sacks of used shoes and canvas; MSKU-0733723 filled with Auto spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles; TCNU-9441240 containing Furniture; ACLU-9673721 of Spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles. Others which are 4x20ft containers include C/nos TEMU-4596866 loaded with Furniture; TCLU-3866419 – Furniture; TCKU-3962096 – Furniture; and TCKU-1497232 laden with Pali Bitters Drinks
These seizures according to Shuaibu occurred at strategic points across the South-Western states, such as Ilaro, Owode, Ajilete, and Imeko-Afon in Ogun State; the Ondo/Ekiti axis; Shaki and Iseyin in Oyo State and the Lagos metropolis.
He noted that, a total of 13 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, and while some have been granted administrative bail, others have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The report further stated that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized goods stands at ₦3,144,680,000.00 (Three Billion, One hundred and Forty-Four Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira) only.
Explaining further on some highpoints of the seizures, the Area Controller on the seized Cannabis Sativa which in line with the unit’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration, were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the event for further investigation and prosecution, said his operative will continued to keep tab on such illegal substances that threatened the nation’s sanity of cohabitation.
In all, Shuaibu said, the seizures recorded by his led unit, underscore the operational capabilities and strategic effectiveness of customs operatives.
According to him, “They also reinforce our unwavering resolve to dismantle smuggling networks and confront economic saboteurs whose actions threaten national security and undermine the fiscal policies of the federal government.”
In addition to its huge enforcement role of the service, the FOU Zone A who is as well plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with import and export regulations to ensure appropriate and collectable duties are paid on trading consignments, have continued to play its oversight function role by scrutinizing questionable declarations, correct under valuations, and issuing Demand Notices (DNs) where necessary.
To this, Shuaibu said Between 18th July and 12th August 2025, the Unit had recovered a total sum of ₦47,834,397.29 (Forty-Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Seven Naira, Twenty-Nine Kobo) as revenue to the federation purse.
Meanwhile, the Area Controller of the foremost unit assured to continue to maintain vigilance against smuggling and fraud, noting that the FOU ‘A’ remained a strong partner in trade facilitation. “We continue to support legitimate trade through intelligence-driven operations that strike a balance between security enforcement and economic growth ensuring that lawful traders are not unduly hindered in the process”, he declared.
Shuaibu however commended the tireless efforts of his operatives and reaffirm their steadfast commitment to securing our nation’s borders against all forms of economic sabotage. “We will not relent in our mission to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment and protect our economy from illicit trade practices”, he said.
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