Customs FOU Zone D Boosts Inter-Agency Collaboration with Handover of Seized Pangolin Scales, Illicit Drugs, Others

ZAINAB JUNAID

In a significant demonstration of inter-agency collaboration, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘D’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has handed over seized 711.9kg of pangolin scales, 32,010 sachets of Tramadol Hydrochloride, and 45 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa to the Customs Special Wildlife Unit at the CIU Headquarters, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) respectively.

The Controller of the Zone, Comptroller Abubakar Umar made this known on Tuesday, 22 July 2025 at the Unit’s Headquarters, Bauchi, while briefing newsmen on the Zone’s anti-smuggling efforts from 21 May and 16 July 2025. He said the handover is in tandem with standard procedure of the Service.

According to Comptroller Umar, the seized items have a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦78,111,442.50, for the period under review.

He highlighted the smuggled items to include: 13,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 725 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 20,600 sachets of Tramadol Hydrochloride, 1,000 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 129 bags of unregistered monosodium glutamate, and several cartons of unregistered powdered and condensed milk.

Also confiscated were 20 bags of unregistered citric acid powder, 20 rolls of paramilitary uniform materials, one roll of military camouflage material, five bags of unregistered non-dairy creamer, and five cartons of Neo-skin Vista body cream.

Comptroller Umar described the seizures of military and paramilitary uniform materials as significant, given the persistent insecurity and activities of non-state actors in the region.

“These underscored our unwavering commitment to combating smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economy,” Umar stated. “Our operations will be intensified in the coming weeks to curb these illicit activities further.”

He attributed the operations’ success to intelligence-driven enforcement, strategic inter-agency collaboration, and the dedication of Customs officers in the zone.

Comptroller Umar also expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR for his continued support and leadership, particularly the recent allocation of nine operational vehicles to the Unit by the Customs Headquarters to boost enforcement capabilities.

He urged traders in the zone to remain law-abiding, warning that the Unit would spare no effort in apprehending and prosecuting those engaged in illegal trade.

The briefing concluded with an appreciation for media practitioners’ role in informing the public and promoting transparency in the unit and Service’s activities.