Comptroller Aliyu (in dark glasses) with some of the seized vehicles.
Story by Dili Utomi.
“Cutting the supply chain is the best way to go, hence the intensity of our efforts in that area”
Above are the words of the Customs Area Comptrolller of the Zone ‘A’, federal operations unit of the Nigeria Customs Service while answering questions posed by journalists on his modes of operation, Tuesday during his a press briefing at the premises of the Customs Training ground, Ikeja Lagos.
Comptroller Gambo Aliyu was engaging in his maiden press briefing to showcase some of the humongous seizures made over the past five weeks and he detailed some of the seized items a
i. 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg each equivalent to eleven (12) trailer loads.
ii. 77 bags of foreign sugar, each weighing 50kg.
iii. 21 units of assorted Tokunbo vehicles.
iv. 3,362 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil 25 litres each.
v. 20,700 litres of PMS.
vi. 915 bales of used clothing.
vii. 1 X 20FT Container (SUDU 7640333) 20 Pallets of stone coated aluminium roofing sheets
viii. 581 pieces of refrigerator compressors.
His words “Amidst rising crime and criminality in our country today, the unit under my watch intensified the onslaught against drug trafficking syndicates within our Area of responsibility, through the interception of 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’, weighing 1,431kg. This singular move significantly disrupted supply chains networks. These efforts occurred against the backdrop of spiralling incidences of banditry, terrorism and pervasive societal vices that threaten national stability”.
Other notable seizures within the period under review include, four (4) live pangolins intercepted along the waterways of Alapa Creek, Ajilete. The seized endangered species, which are the most endangered mammals in the world, were since handed to Wildlife Conservation Centre for safekeeping. This effort underscores the country’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws and discouraging trade in endangered species.
He noted that “The Seizure of 581 (Five Hundred and Eighty-One) used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle 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 leak toxins into soil and emit Green House Gases (GHGs) like Chloroflorocarbon (CFCs) and nitrogen oxide among others that deplete the ozone layer, if not properly disposed. Section 55(1), (d) of NCS Act (2023) authorises the seizure of prohibited imports that threaten the environment. This aligns our laws with international best practice in environmental protection”.
The seized utems have a duty paid value (DPV) of ₦3,319.893,255.00 (Three Billion, Three Hundred and Nineteen Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira) only. Eight (8) suspects including one female who was arrested in connection with the imported Ghanaian loud have been arrested in connection with the various seizures and are currently facing different charges .
In a rather regrettable mood, Comptroller Aliyu also announced the loss of an officer in the line of duty saying “relative to these operations, the Command just this morning, 3 Feb 26, lost one of its promising officers, who fell to the cold hands of death in the Service of our Fatherland. This loss has already been communicated to the Service high Command”.
In addition, the unit continues to enforce import and export compliance by addressing issues of misdeclaration of cargo and some Demand Notices (DN) were issued. Between 10th December 2025-date, a total of 36,891,826 (Thirty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira) only was recovered.
In line with inter-agency cooperation, the seized 3,029 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 1, 425kg were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
The representative of the Lagos State Special Command of the NDLEA, Controller of Narcotics, Ibrahim Kabir while receiving the seized drugs said “This, here is the success story of all our good efforts in combating drug imports, distribution and consumption. We shall continue to partner as sister agencies to curtail this menace of hard drugs importation”.
During the question and answer session, Comptroller Aliyu revealed that “this result was from a great coordinated effort of officers throughout the South West zone”. He advises those who intend to engage in illicit trade to have a rethink as the Unit will not rest on its laurels, but will continue to cause deep holes in the pockets of smugglers.
The CAC commends all officers of the Unit and expresses his profound gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the Management team for their opportunity to serve as comptroller FOU A. He also extends his appreciation to the media for their continued support.
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