FOU ‘A’ Customs Intensifies Anti-Smuggling Campaign in South-West
- Aliyu’s Six Months Crack Down on Smugglers Yields Massive Seizure Bounties worth Over N3.3Bn,
- Strengthens Drug War Collaboration
Comptroller GI Aliyu, Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, addressing the press and invited guests at the event
Undoubtedly, the Smuggling operational networks across Nigeria’s South-West are currently facing renewed pressure, with unprecedented heat, as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, continued to bombard their activities and ramped up enforcement operations, recording multi-billion-naira seizures, as well as tightening collaboration with anti-drug authorities.
In his recent maiden press briefing in Lagos, the Unit’s Area Controller, Comptroller GI Aliyu, a seasoned enforcement officer, under whose watch several monumental Anti-Smuggling feats were achieved in just six weeks, outlined new operational direction focused on intelligence-driven enforcement and stricter supervision of field operations, a strategy he said is already yielding significant results in the fight against economic sabotage and illicit smuggling trade.
Aliyu showcasing the seized exotic vehicles
According to the new customs Sherrif who took over the Unit’s leadership affairs in December, 2025, his led management upon assumption of office quickly adjusted its deployment tactics, moving away from predictable checkpoints to movable and flexible operational style, and intelligence-based patrols designed to disrupt smuggling routes and outmaneuver criminal networks.
He said that this renewed approach led to the interception of 144 smuggling attempts involving variety of prohibited and improperly imported goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) worth of N3,319.893,255.00 (Three Billion, Three Hundred and Nineteen Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira) only.
The seized Clothing
Breakdown of the seizure items include 6,954 bags of 50kg smuggled foreign rice which is equivalent to 17 trailer load, 77 bags of foreign sugar, 915 bales of used clothing, more than 3,300 jerrycans of 25kg vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of smuggled petrol, 21 used vehicles, and a 20-foot container filled with roofing sheets.
However, major highlight of the six weeks intensified enforcement operations was the interception of approximately 1.4 tonnes of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud,” representing one of the Unit’s most significant anti-drug seizures in recent times.
Customs authorities however said these interceptions have seriously dealt a big blow to drug trafficking networks linked to rising criminal activities, especially in the nation’s most economic viable region.
Seized Compressors and other items
‘Drug trafficking fuels these threats by providing chemical catalyst such as Methamphetamine and others that embolden perpetrators, erode morale and destabilize the nation. The effects ripple through public spaces, increase health burdens from addiction related illnesses, with attendant economic losses from youth unemployment among others.
‘Considering the dangers involved in drug usage and its effect on our society, I urge perpetrators of this illicit trade to be patriotic enough to change their ways and embrace legitimate trade or face the consequences of their actions, as our determination is resolute’, Aliyu said.
Meanwhile, as part of the negative effects being faced in the course of carrying out its hazardous nature enforcement responsibilities, the Controller sadly also disclosed that the Unit suffered the loss of one of its officers while on active duty, describing the late officer as a committed personnel who died while serving the nation. To this, he underscored the risks faced by enforcement officers on a daily basis in the line of their enforcement duties.
Massive Cannabis “Ghanian Loud” serizure
Continuing in unit’s seizure breakdown, Comptroller GI Aliyu said, in another operation, his Customs personnel rescued four (4) live pangolins being trafficked through waterways at Alapa creek near Ajilete, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to protecting endangered wildlife species.
He noted that the seized endangered species, which are the most endangered mammals in the world, were since handed to Wildlife Conservation Centre for safekeeping, pointing that this effort underscores our country’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws and discouraging trade in endangered species.
Similarly, he said that Officers of the unit also seized 581 used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle and smuggled into the country, items which he explained that is considered to be hazardous under environmental protection regulations.
Massive 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice seizure
‘This seizure is a vital win for Nigeria’s environment and public safety, considering its effects on environment, and this move reaffirms our commitment to the Basel Convention (1989). Both Section 55(1), (d) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023) & the Basel Convention relates to the control of Trans boundary hazardous waste movements, to protect developing nations like Nigeria. Used Compressors often carry hazardous oils, refrigerants, and residues that leach toxins into soil and emit Green House Gases (GHGs) like Carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide among others that deplete the ozone layer, if not properly disposed. Section 55(1), (d) of NCS Act (2023) authorizes the seizure of prohibited imports that threaten the environment. This aligns our laws with international best practice in environmental protection’, the CAC said.
In all, the Controller revealed that a total of Eight suspects were so far arrested in connection with the various seizures, while investigations continue to uncover wider smuggling networks behind the operations.
Vegetable Oil Seizure
In demonstrating a strengthened inter-agency cooperation, the Unit handed over 2,938 parcels of seized cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
While receiving the seized cannabis consignment, NDLEA Deputy Commander of Operations and Training for Lagos Strategic Command, CN Muhammed Kabiru, commended Customs officers for the successful interception, noting its significance in protecting communities from drug abuse.
He assured that the NDLEA would carry out proper investigation and lawful disposal of the seized substances, stressing that collaboration among security agencies remains vital in combating drug trafficking.
Comptroller GI Aliyu handing over the Cannabis Seizure in the spirit of inter collaboration
Beyond enforcement actions, the Unit also performed creditably in its revenue support campaign against unwholesome practices of importers through Debit Note raised on duty evading consignments from the south west corridor, as the unit boosted revenue protection efforts by recovering a total of N36,891,826 (Thirty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira) only through Demand Notices issued on cargo misdeclaration and related infractions.
This recovery he said was recorded between 10th December 2025 to date, ehile noting that the core mandate of the unit is to strengthen the integrity of the supply chain, through a rigorous gap analysis.
Comptroller Aliyu however reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to sustaining pressure on smuggling syndicates while supporting legitimate trade, calling on stakeholders and the public to provide useful intelligence to aid enforcement operations.
To industry watchers, this early massive operational results by the Comptroller GI Aliyu led Unit signalled a tougher environment ahead for smuggling operations within the south west region, even as enforcement agencies intensify efforts to safeguard the nation’s economy and security.
‘We have undertaken to sustaining an enforcement tactics to root out economic saboteurs, as we remain committed to facilitating legitimate trade’, Comptroller GI Aliyu declared.
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