The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has recorded 195 interceptions of smuggled goods with a combined Duty-Paid Value (DPV) of N6.19 billion, following a renewed operational strategy aimed at strengthening anti-smuggling enforcement.
The Acting Comptroller of the Unit, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during a press briefing in Ikeja, Lagos.
Afeni attributed the achievements to a strategic shift towards intelligence-led operations, improved surveillance, risk-based cargo examination and stronger inter-agency collaboration.
He explained that since assuming office, the Unit had streamlined its internal processes and strengthened operational coordination to improve enforcement efficiency while protecting legitimate trade.
“Since I assumed office, we have streamlined and coordinated internal processes, prioritised intelligence-driven enforcement, improved surveillance, enforced risk-based examination, and built stronger collaboration with relevant government agencies and stakeholders. Our approach is simple. We will act professionally to enforce the law firmly, protect legitimate trade, and ensure that those who seek to undermine the nation’s economy face the consequences of their actions,” he said.
The seizures include 3,028 bags of 50kg foreign rice, 5,986 parcels of Cannabis Indica weighing 3,407.83 kilogrammes, 6,949 cartons of smuggled spaghetti, 21 foreign-used vehicles and 11 means of conveyance, among other prohibited items.
The Acting Comptroller noted that the seizures represented more than enforcement statistics, stressing that the operations had helped recover government revenue, protect indigenous industries and prevent dangerous and substandard products from reaching consumers.
As part of its sustained collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies, the FOU Zone A formally handed over the intercepted illicit drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos Strategic Command.
Receiving the substances, the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Nurudeen Abdullahi, commended the Customs Service for its collaboration with the NDLEA, emphasising the need for collective efforts to combat drug-related crimes. “98 per cent of crime is committed as a result of drugs. So please know that this fight is not only for Customs or the NDLEA. Let all of us enlighten the public about the dangers of drugs and the negative impact of illicit activities on businesses,” Abdullahi said.
He called on stakeholders and members of the public to support ongoing efforts through awareness creation and collective action against drug trafficking and other illicit activities.
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