Comptroller Shuaibu with some of his lieutenants and some seized Jerry cans of PMS at the press briefing.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The interventionist Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A has continued to keep illegal traders in check with the successful interception of various items of trade that were deemed illegal in nature.
The head of the zonal Unit is Comptroller Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu whose vast operational experiences have proved vital on so many cases. He addressed the press on Tuesday to inform them of some of his Unit’s most recent performances.
Comptroller Shuaibu with a truck of seized pharmaceuticals.
Comptroller Shuaibu noted that in the past six weeks, the Unit has intensified its anti-smuggling operations through intelligence-driven strategies, which were aimed at curtailing illicit goods trafficking, safeguarding revenue, and protecting consumers from hazardous and counterfeit products.
According to him, the Unit while leveraging on advanced surveillance and intelligence-sharing frameworks across the southwestern states made 125 successful interceptions within the six-week period. He listed the seized items as follows:
1. 5,015 bags of 50kg foreign rice (equivalent to 8 trailer loads)
2. 15 used (Tokunbo) vehicles
3. 640 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, weighing approximately 431.8kg
4. 460 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (about 11,500 litres)
5. 143 bales of used clothing, 2 jumbo sacks of used shoes, and 1 sack of used clothing
6. 390 bottles of Codeine, 310 foreign-branded drugs, and 19 cards of Tramadol
7. 210 pieces of used tyres
8. One 20-foot container (ONEU 2419369 FTC) containing 752 cartons of Calcium Lactate, intercepted “for false declaration”.
The seized bags of 50kg rice on display.
Comptroller Shuaibu stated that the seizures occurred in Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Lagos states. Four defendants were arrested in connection with the operations and would be 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.
The hand over ceremony at the occassion.
Comptroller Shuaibu happily announced that the Unit has “remained firm and focused on safeguarding our nation’s borders, protecting the economy, and combating all forms of illicit activities”. He also disclosed that from 1st September to 7th October 2025, the unit recovered ₦39,269,688.71 through the issuance of demand notices and enforcement against under-valuations.
While strategically carrying out its anti-smuggling activities, the Comptroller also said that “facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that lawful businesses operate without unnecessary hindrance” are also priority areas of attention to the Unit.
The 640 loaves of cannabis sativa seized were handed over to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) which was represented by a deputy commander of narcotics, Nasir Garba Nagodo who noted that the seized drugs are not ordinary cannabis sativa, but that their properties have been altered to have more addictive tendencies.
From left, DC of Narcotics, NG Nagodo with Comptroller Shuaibu as the 640 loaves of cannabis sativa were handed over to the NDLEA.
The representative of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was also on hand to receive the seized pharmaceutical products.
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