News Highlight:
- Massive Seizure of Smuggled Goods Worth Over ₦1.28 Billion
- Interception of Containers and Drug-Laden Trucks
In a sweeping operation that underscores the federal government’s intensified war against economic sabotage, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has intercepted contraband goods valued at more than ₦1.28 billion within a two-week period.
The seizures, carried out across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states, are the latest in a series of strategic crackdowns aimed at dismantling smuggling syndicates threatening Nigeria’s economy and national security.
Addressing journalists at the Customs warehouse in Ikeja, the Controller of Customs for FOU Zone A, Mohammed Shuaibu, described the seizures as evidence of the agency’s heightened vigilance and commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders, adding that the scale and diversity of the intercepted items reflect the level of sophistication and audacity of smuggling networks operating in the country.
Among the most significant interceptions were two 40-foot containers apprehended on May 23 and 24. These containers, according to Shuaibu, were used to smuggle in a range of vehicles and household goods under false declarations designed to evade customs duties.
Inside the containers, officers discovered seven Mitsubishi Cantas, five Toyota buses, and three minibuses. Alongside the vehicles were prohibited household items including used bicycles, gas cylinders, flat-screen televisions, tabletop cookers, and split-unit air conditioners.
Shuaibu explained that the importation of these items contravenes Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff, which prohibits specific categories of used goods due to their potential health, environmental, and economic risks.
In a separate operation on May 19, a Volvo truck loaded with 1,263 used tyres was intercepted, further pointing to the persistence of tyre smuggling despite known safety concerns. Another alarming seizure involved a truck suspected to be transporting bulletproof vests and large quantities of the restricted drug tramadol. This vehicle was intercepted along the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway during a targeted patrol.
Even more disturbing was the discovery of a concealed shipment of cannabis sativa weighing approximately 1,665 kilograms. The illicit substance was hidden inside the compartment of a Mercedes-Benz truck, and one suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure. The volume and method of concealment suggest a growing nexus between smuggling activities and organized drug trafficking rings.
Shuaibu expressed concern over the increasing intersection of economic crimes with security threats, noting that Customs officers now operate with intelligence support and in collaboration with sister agencies to neutralize these threats effectively. He reaffirmed the Service’s determination to protect Nigeria’s economy and citizens, warning that perpetrators would be brought to justice and their assets seized in accordance with the law.
The recent operations reflect a broader shift in strategy by the Nigeria Customs Service toward intelligence-led enforcement and aggressive border surveillance. As the country grapples with economic recovery and security challenges, such interventions are seen as crucial in restoring order and ensuring compliance with international trade and safety regulations.
