Customs FOU ‘A’ Foils 473 Smuggling Attempts, Seizes N5.5bn Contraband in South-West

..Launches ‘Operation Hawk’ to Disrupt Drug Trafficking Networks

ZAINAB JUNAID

As part of its regular operational briefing on efforts to combat economic sabotage across Nigeria’s South-West States, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced 473 seizures recorded within eight weeks, with a Duty Paid Value of N5.5 billion.

Addressing journalists during the briefing, the Comptroller of the Unit, Comptroller Gambo Iyere Aliyu stated that the operations were part of intensified efforts to combat economic sabotage and enforce provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

He explained that the Unit deployed advanced surveillance systems, intelligence sharing frameworks and inter-agency collaboration to disrupt illicit trade networks across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ondo states.

According to the Comptroller, items seized during the operations include 8,794 bags of foreign rice, equivalent to about 15 trailer loads, 22 vehicles, and 1,863 used refrigerator compressors which he classified as environmental hazards.

Others are 328 bales of used clothing, 1,188 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 485 used tyres, 69 cartons of spaghetti, 24 bags of foreign sugar, five cartons of sweetened sugar products, and 531 cartons of foreign poultry products.

The Unit also seized four cylinders of high-grade mercury, a controlled chemical under international environmental regulations, often used in illegal small-scale mining.

The items, according to the Comptroller is a DUAL-PURPOSE Chemical that poses significant environmental hazards and is controlled by the MINAMATA CONVENTION ON MERCURY. The items were concealed in the false bottom segment in the trunk of a TOYOTA AVENSIS, at the Gbaji Outpost, along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

“The arrest was effected together with a male suspect who has been granted Administrative bail, as investigation reached an advanced stage. The items and the suspect would be handed over to NESREA in furtherance of our agency function as directed by Headquarters,” the Comptroller said.

In its crackdown on drug trafficking, the Comptroller disclosed that the Unit launched an operation code named “Operation Hawk,” which led to the seizure of 3,340 parcels of synthetic strain of cannabis indica weighing 1,540 kilogrammes.

Comptroller Iyere said that the initiative aimed at curbing illicit goods trafficking, safeguarding revenue, protecting the society and environment from incidences of crime, criminalities and pervasive societal vices that threaten national stability.

He noted that the development reflects the increasing sophistication of drug trafficking networks and the need for enhanced intelligence-driven enforcement.

According to him, “Our analysis of the trend in recent times, indicates that the traffickers are devising different methods to perpetuate illicit trade, therefore, there is the need for critical security stakeholders to upscale their intelligence sharing mechanism to cut the supply chain completely.

“In addition to leveraging modern technologies for intelligence gathering, I have also constituted and effectively coordinated a specialised team responsible for integrating Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)operations, which is already yielding positive and measurable results”.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, operatives of the Unit at the Gbaji outpost acting on credible intelligence at about 0645hrs of Thursday 30th April 2026, intercepted a green coloured Toyota Highlander conveying six parcels of cocaine weighing 6.35 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of N2.35 billion.

The operation also led to the arrest of a 71-year – old Nigerian male, Mr Oni Iredia suspected of trafficking the narcotic substance.

“Further examination of the vehicle revealed 6 parcels of cocaine substance, with 2 parcels of the powdered substance Cocaine weighing 2.3kg, and 4 parcels of the Methamphetamine weighing 4.1kg of crack cocaine, all totalling 6.4kg of the illicit substance. The consignment was intercepted at Elijah Bus stop along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, and has a street value of approximately N2.35b”.

The seizures according to the Comptroller, underscores the Unit’s commitment to dismantling smuggling syndicates and protecting national security.

Beyond enforcement, Comptroller Gambo said the Unit also recorded N97.7 million in revenue recovery within the period under review through demand notices and post-clearance audits targeting under-declared consignments.

“In line with the ONE STOP initiative of the Service, the unit continues to scrutinize questionable declarations, interdict unpaid duty and issue Demand Notices (DN) in concert with the Post Clearance Audit, where necessary.

“Consequently, between 3rd February and 28th April 2026, a total of Ninety-Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-Six Naira and Fifty-Five Kobo (N97,703,596.55) only was recovered,” he stated.

Highlighting ongoing reforms, the Comptroller said the Unit is leveraging geospatial intelligence, satellite imagery, drone surveillance and real-time tracking systems to monitor smuggling routes and enhance operational efficiency.

He also informed that the newly commissioned ultra-modern command headquarters in Ogun State would serve as a hub for data analytics, surveillance and inter-agency coordination.

According to him, the initiative aligns with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, to modernise the Service, strengthen border security and facilitate legitimate trade.

Comptroller Gambo equally assured stakeholders that enforcement measures are being balanced with trade facilitation, noting a decline in complaints from compliant traders regarding cargo movement along major corridors.

While reaffirming the Unit’s resolve, the Comptroller said the FOU Zone A would continue to intensify operations against smuggling and other illicit activities to safeguard the nation’s economy.

He also disclosed that the Unit would soon commence a phased relocation to its newly commissioned headquarters, a move expected to enhance operational efficiency, inter-agency collaboration and real-time monitoring of border activities across the South-West.

Similarly, in a clear demonstration of inter-agency collaboration, the seized 1,540kg of synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’,  totalling 3,340 Compressed packages, together with the 6.4kg of Cocaine and Methamphetamine, and three suspects were handed over to the representative of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution in courts of competent jurisdictions by Comptroller Gambo Iyere Aliyu.

Receiving the exhibits, Commandant Ibrahim Muhammad Kabir, Commander of Narcotics Lagos State Strategic Command, commended the Unit’s operatives for their commitment in the fight against economic Saboteurs and for sustaining inter- agency cooperation.

He informed that the Agency has commenced detailed investigation to unmask the cartel and financiers, track the source of the exhibit, and prosecute all culprits in accordance with the NDLEA Act CAP N30 Law of the Federation of the Nigeria 2004.

In his words, “This seizure sent a clear message to drug traffickers that the net is closing, Lagos will not be a safe haven for distribution of cocaine, cannabis sativa and other deadly substances destroying our youth. To the public, cannabis sativa remain an illicit drug under Nigeria law. The so called loud is not a nice type, it is a ticket to prison and to destroy lives.

“We urge parents, community leaders, and the media to join NDLEA in this advocacy. We commend the Comptroller of the FOU of the Nigeria Customs Service Ikeja and officers of the NCS for their commitment to Inter- Agency cooperation. This handover is evidence that when security agencies work together, the criminal lose. I thank Nigeria Customs Service for this thrust, NDLEA will ensure this case is pursued to a logical conclusion”.

The Comptroller of the Unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu concluded by commending officers of the Unit and expressing appreciation to stakeholders and the media for their continued support.