Story by Dili Utomi.
“We do sanction erring officers, but there is no gap in the relationship between the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service. We do not disturb compliant traders and the Service remains resolute in trying to achieve its mandates”.
Above are part of the answers given to
questions raised by journalists as the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service held a press briefing, Thursday.
The interventionist Unit is headed by Comptroller of Customs, Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu who detailed the seizures made over the course of 3 weeks. He said “Today, I am pleased to report significant breakthroughs achieved by our dedicated officers and operatives through intelligence driven operations over the past 3 weeks. These efforts led to a total of seventy-six (76) interceptions of smuggled and contraband goods, which include the following:
• 4,068 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) equivalent to seven trailer loads
• 22 used (tokunbo) vehicles, including two Ashok Leyland drilling trucks
• 485 jerry cans 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
• 770 jerrycans of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil.
In addition to these, we made notable seizures involving eight (8) containers with mis-declared goods or attempts to evade duties. The breakdown is as follows:
• 4x40ft containers:
• MSKU-1629585 – Sacks of used shoes and canvas
• MSKU-0733723 – Auto spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles
• TCNU-9441240 – Furniture
• ACLU-9673721 – Spare parts, used tyres, and vehicles
• 4x20ft containers:
• TEMU-4596866 – Furniture
• TCLU-3866419 – Furniture
• TCKU-3962096 – Furniture
• TCKU-1497232 – pali bitters drinks”.
The seizures were made at different strategic points across the South-Western states, including Ilaro, Owode, Ajilete, and Imeko-Afon in Ogun State; the Ondo/Ekiti axis; Shaki and Iseyin in Oyo State and the Lagos metropolis.
The 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.
A total of 13 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. Though some have been granted administrative bail, others have also been handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Aside the above seizures, the Unit also 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) between 18th July and 12th August 2025.
The seized parcels of cannabis sativa were handed over to the representative of the Area Commander of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), NG Bungudu.
Mr. Bungudu when making his speech noted that “the security challenges that we are having in Nigeria is fuelled by drugs and so it is very important that the collaboration among agencies especially that between the NCS and the NDLEA continues to be strong since historically, the NDLEA was carved out of the NCS”.
While further responding to questions from journalists, Comptroller Shuaibu stated his belief that “the level of compliance is getting higher as can be seen in terms of higher generated revenue and lesser level of intercepted smuggled items over time”.
Comptroller Shuaibu also commended the efforts of the officers of the Unit, the input of the compliant stakeholders and the good works of the media for properly enlightening the public about the need to do the right thing always.
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