Customs arrests 8 suspects with 12 trailers of rice, hard drugs worth N3.3bn

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a massive haul of contraband, including 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice- equivalent to 12 trailer loads and 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud”, weighing 1,431kg with a Duty Paid Value ( DPV) of N3.319billion.

Other items seized include 777 bags of foreign sugar, each weighing 50kg; 21 units of assorted Tokunbo vehicles, 3,362 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil, 25 litres each; 20,700 litres of PMS; 915 bales of used clothing; and a 20-foot container with number SUDU 7640333 containing 20 pallets of stone-coated aluminium roofing sheet and four live pangolins, which have since been handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre.

Controller of the unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, who showcased the seizures during his maiden press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday said the crackdown resulted in the arrest of eight suspects.

Aliyu, who assumed leadership of the unit barely six weeks ago, attributed the success to a shift in tactical operations.

He noted that the unit has moved away from predictable checkpoints toward intelligence-driven deployments and strengthened internal supervision.

“We understood from the very beginning that we could not achieve different results employing the old ways. Therefore, we took a careful review of our operations, deployment patterns, and internal processes to make informed decisions. These include strengthening internal supervision, with clear performance indicators for every team member, reorganizing patrols using intelligence-driven deployment rather than routine predictable checkpoints, particularly within the Lagos metropolis.

“This approach led to significant interception of 144 smuggling attempts with goods of different brands, ” he said.

Beyond economic sabotage, Aliyu highlighted the grave security and environmental risks posed by these illicit trades.

He pointed to the seizure of 581 used refrigerator compressors, noting that they contain hazardous oils and refrigerants that deplete the ozone layer and leach toxins into the soil.

He also linked the drug trade directly to the rising tide of insecurity in Nigeria.

“Drug trafficking fuels threats like banditry and terrorism by providing the chemical catalysts, such as Methamphetamine, and others that embolden perpetrators and destabilize the nation.

“The effects ripple through public spaces, increase health burdens from addiction related illnesses, with attendant economic losses from youth unemployment among others. Considering the dangers involved in drug usage and its effect on our society, I urge perpetrators of this illicit trade to be patriotic enough to change their ways and embrace legitimate trade or face the consequences of their actions, as our determination is resolute, ” he warned.

The Controller announced that the unit lost one of its officers in the line of duty early Tuesday morning, noting that the loss has been communicated to the Service High Command.

In a show of synergy, the unit officially handed over the seized cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

Additionally, Comptroller Aliyu said the unit recovered N36.8 million through Demand Notices (DN) issued on cargo misdeclarations since December 2025.

Reaffirming the Service’s unwavering commitment to protecting the Nigerian economy, Comptroller Aliyu urged smugglers to embrace legitimate trade or face the full weight of the law.

“The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed in its efforts to combat smuggling, other forms of illicit trade and trans-border crimes.

“The achievements recorded testify to our unwavering dedication to protecting our economy and citizenry. We will continue to enforce government fiscal policy and uphold professionalism in the conduct of our duties. The unit will synergise, collaborate & partner with sister security agencies, including stakeholders and border communities to suppress smuggling, ” he said.