Customs FOU A seizes N3.14bn in contraband, arrests 13 suspects in S’West

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized contraband goods worth over N3.14 billion and arrested 13 suspects in connection with the seizures.

The operations, which took place over the past three weeks, targeted smuggling and illicit trade across the six states of the Southwest geopolitical zone.

Controller of the unit, Comptroller Muhammed Shuaibu, announced the arrests and seizures at a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday.

He said the confiscated items were intercepted during intelligence-driven operations in various locations, including Ilaro, Owode, and Ajilete in Ogun State, as well as parts of Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, and Lagos.

He said a total of 76 interceptions of smuggled and contraband goods were made within the period including 4,068 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), equivalent to seven trailer loads, 22 used vehicles, including two drilling trucks, 12,125 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), packed in 485 jerrycans
and 120 bales of used clothing.

Others are 57 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 47 cartons of foreign poultry products and 770 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil.

In addition to these, CAC Shuaibu said the unit intercepted eight containers with misdeclared goods or attempts to evade duties.

The containers held items like used shoes, auto spare parts, used tires, and furniture and pali bitters drinks.

He said out of the 13 suspects arrested some have been granted administrative bail, while others have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

The seized Cannabis Sativa was subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA).

Comptroller Shuaibu emphasized the unit’s commitment to protecting the national economy and safeguarding borders.

“These seizures underscore the operational capabilities and strategic effectiveness of our operatives. They also reinforce our unwavering resolve to dismantle smuggling networks and confront economic saboteurs whose actions threaten national security and undermine the fiscal policies of the federal government, ” he said.

In addition to the seizures, Comptroller Shuaibu said the unit recovered over N47.8 million from questionable declarations and under-valuations between July 18 and August 12, 2025.

The amount, he said was recovered through the issuance of Demand Notices (DNs).

Shuaibu commended the tireless efforts of the unit’s operatives and reaffirmed its commitment to securing the nation’s borders against all forms of economic sabotage.

He said, ‘We will not relent in our mission to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment and protect our economy from illicit trade practices.

“While we maintain vigilance against smuggling and fraud, the FOU remains a strong partner in trade facilitation. We continue to support legitimate trade through intelligence-driven operations that strike a balance between security enforcement and economic growth ensuring that lawful traders are not unduly hindered in the process.”