The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the interception of contraband goods valued at ₦1.5 billion during a three-week operation in Lagos.
EpeInsights learnt that four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
Comptroller Muhammed Shuaibu, who took over leadership of the unit on April 23, disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos on Friday.
The intercepted goods, seized between April 23 and May 16, were handed over to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action.
Shuaibu stated that the unit has adopted a more intelligence-driven approach to enforcement, which he said has significantly reduced the inefficiencies associated with conventional stop-and-search operations.
He also noted that the command generated ₦20.7 million in revenue during the same period from demand notices and the auction of perishable items and petroleum products that were imported in violation of trade regulations.
Among the seizures were seven 20-foot containers containing various smuggled goods. These included used tyres, vehicles, foreign parboiled rice, new clothing, shoes, and bags.
In addition, officers confiscated 4,085 bags of 50kg foreign rice equivalent to seven trailer loads 15 foreign-used vehicles, 82 packs of Tramadol (each containing 10 sachets), and 246 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa.
Other items seized included 290 jerry cans of petrol and multiple bales and sacks of used clothing.
Shuaibu emphasized that the success of these operations underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to tackling smuggling, counterfeit goods, and other forms of illicit trade that undermine the economy and public safety.
He expressed gratitude to his officers for conducting the operations without injury and acknowledged the support of other agencies and the media.
The NDLEA’s Festac Area Commander, Abdul Maiyaki, commended the Customs Service for its professionalism and for handing over the seized cannabis and a suspect to the agency.
Similarly, Shuiba Muhammad, Chairman of the NAFDAC Taskforce, praised the Customs unit’s efforts in protecting the country from harmful substances, referencing the handover of seven truckloads of illicit pharmaceuticals three months prior.
Both officials attributed the success of the operation to improved inter-agency cooperation, which they said is vital for addressing the security challenges associated with drug abuse and illicit trade.
Shuaibu concluded by encouraging the public to report suspicious activities related to smuggling and called for honest trade declarations to avoid clearance issues.
He reiterated that intelligence-led customs operations will continue to support a more transparent and efficient trading environment in Lagos and beyond.
