The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), based in Ikeja, has announced the interception of contraband valued at an impressive N1.72 billion from smugglers over the last month. This announcement was made by Comptroller Kola Oladeji during a media briefing held in Lagos on Wednesday.
Comptroller Oladeji detailed the sizable haul of seized contraband, which includes:
- 3,832 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice – equivalent to seven trucks.
- 27 units of used (Tokunbo) vehicles.
- 494 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), totaling 14,820 litres.
- 27 bales of used clothing.
- 95 bags of charcoal.
- 3,643 kg of Cannabis Sativa.
- The arrest of six suspects connected to the smuggling operations.
He emphasized that the combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these intercepted goods amounts to N1.72 billion.
Comptroller Oladeji reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to enforcing the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and ensuring compliance with existing import and export regulations. “The operatives of FOU A have intensified border surveillance across the South-Western states as part of our initiative to combat economic sabotage,” he said.
Highlighting the unit’s performance, Oladeji shared that they achieved significant milestones during this review period, resulting in 82 successful interceptions. “Our success is attributed to the relentless efforts of our customs officers, who have dedicated long hours to patrol and surveillance,” he added.
The FOU is not only committed to intercepting illegal goods but also engaging with the public to raise awareness about the economic implications of smuggling. “We will continue our relentless efforts in tackling illegal cross-border trade and other criminal activities,” Oladeji stated.
In addition to the contraband seizures, the unit generated N72.4 million from debit notes issued to importers who failed to pay proper customs duties at seaports. Oladeji noted the effective implementation of various trade facilitation tools introduced by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, aimed at enhancing national revenue and economic growth.
“Initiatives such as the Time Release Study (TRS), Advance Ruling, and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) scheme have bolstered investor confidence and improved customs efficiency,” he explained. To promote a more business-friendly environment, the unit has restructured its patrol teams in Lagos to eliminate unnecessary trade barriers.