Customs FOU A seizes bullet proof vests, prohibited goods worth N1.28bn

The Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has impounded smuggled bullet proof vests, ballistic helmets, security uniforms and other prohibited goods valued at over N1.28billion.

Addressing journalists at the unit’s headquarters in Lagos on Tuesday, Controller of the unit, Comptroller Muhammed Shuaibu said the seizures were made across various locations in the Southwest region within two weeks with seven suspects arrested.

Shuaibu attributed the success to renewed intelligence-led strategies aimed at combating smuggling and economic sabotage.

“Our renewed vigor to fight smuggling and criminalities through intelligence-driven operations has continued to payoff,” Shuaibu stated commending the resilience and dedication of his operatives in inflicting substantial losses on economic saboteurs.

Shuaibu also disclosed that on the 23rd and 24th of May 2025, at about 0300hrs and 0230hrs, the unit’s patrol teams within Lagos metropolis acting on intelligence intercepted and seized 2X40FT containers with containers numbers (MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090) respectively along Ijora-Olopa, and mile 2 axis.

According to him, upon examination, the containers were found to contain
seven Mitsubishi Canters, five Toyota Hiace Buses, and three Mini Shuttle Buses all cut up with their parts complete with clear intention to evade Customs duties.

Other items discovered in the containers  included used bicycles, 312, bales of printed wax, 23 bales of used clothing, 42 used gas cylinders, 30 used flat screens televisions, 65 table top cookers, and 31 unit of used split air conditioning among others.

Shuaibu explained that the importation of the items contravenes schedule 4 of the common external tariff.

He said, “Similarly, on the19th of May 2025 at about 0300hrs hours another patrol team intercepted a Volvo truck and investigation revealed to contains 1263 pieces of used tyres and other goods. One suspect was also arrested.

“In the same vein,  on the 19th of May 2025 at about 2300hrs, our officers on a routine patrol along Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode express way in Ogun State, intercepted one truck with registration number T24623LA suspected to be conveying uncustoms goods including Bullet Proof vests. Again, an investigation report revealed the content to include some packages of Tramadol.

“Furthermore, on the 26th of May 2025, at about 0600hrs, through intelligence-driven operations, our men on the Ijebu-Ode patrol team arrested one empty Mercedes Benz truck. Thorough rummaging of the truck and careful observation by our officers led to uncover concealment of Cannabis Sativa (India Hemp) in the compartments of the truck. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.

“Additionally, our patrol teams around the borders areas across the six states of the Southwest have intensified surveillance of our borders against unscrupulous elements among Nigerians, resulting in several seizures of rice, cannabis sativa, used cars and other goods in a flash points of Imeko, Ilaro, Owode, Idiroko, Ilara,  Ihumbo,Abeokuta, Badagry, Agbara,  Gbaji, shaki and Iseyin in Oyo state.”

In all, Shuaibu said 46 interceptions were recorded during the two weeks of operations comprising the following: “Rice 2051X50kg each foreign parboiled rice equivalent to three (4) trailer loads.
11 used vehicles, popularly known as tokumbo vehicles, 1665kg of Cannabis Sativa. 4000 litres of premium motor spirit. (PMS), one white and Black J5 commercial bus loaded with expired goods and one Volvo Truck containing 180 sacks of new towel.

“Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which have a duty paid value (DPV) of one billion, two hundred and eighty-five million,  six hundred thousand,  three hundred and eighty-three naira (N1,285, 600,383.00) only.

“These seizures come on the heels of successes recorded in our anti-smuggling activities just three (3) weeks after I resume the leadership of the unit on the 23rd of April 2025, which saw seizures of over 7 trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice, premium motor spirit, vehicles, drugs and narcotics among others with a duty paid value of over 1.5 billion naira.

“The Nigeria Customs Service as a lead agency in border security and facilitators of trade, we are not unaware of the need to balance both responsibilities through risk management tools at our disposal. We are also aware that those whose illicit businesses have been significantly hindered by our operations will spare no efforts in devising different methods to counter us.

“We would like to assure the public that we will continue to remain alive to our responsibilities and will not be deterred by naysayers or anyone intent to casting aspirations on our officers who have always paid ultimate price for the service to their country.

“As criminals get more desperate and daring, we at the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ will ensure the sustainability of a more formidable defense against any antics devised by these non-state actors. The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to design and implement sustainable programs that will grow our economy, increase revenue for the government, and encourage legitimate trade,” he said.

In addition to the seizures, Shuaibu said the unit also recovered a total of N48.3million through issuance of demand notices (DN) from mproper declaration of consignments.

The seized 1665kg of Indian hemp were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.