By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has intercepted 195 smuggling attempts involving prohibited and restricted goods, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦6.19 billion, within four weeks of intensified enforcement operations.
The Acting Comptroller of the Unit, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during his maiden press briefing since assuming office in Ikeja, Lagos.
Afeni also announced that the Unit recovered ₦683.66 million in revenue between September 30, 2026, and November 3, through enhanced compliance checks, scrutiny of import declarations, correction of under-valuations and issuance of demand notices.
He said the seizures included 5,986 parcels of Cannabis sativa and indica weighing 3,407.83 kilogrammes, 3,028 bags of imported rice weighing 50 kilogrammes each, 995 bags of 25 kilogrammes, 104 bags of 20 kilogrammes and 207 bags of five kilogrammes.
The Unit also intercepted 6,949 cartons of spaghetti, 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, 23,220 pieces of new matchets, 1,236 used tyres, 21 foreign-used vehicles and 1,250 cartridges of Red Star 12-calibre ammunition.
Other seized items included 57 cartons, 37 packs and six pieces of codeine syrup; 400 grammes of cocaine; 100 grammes of methamphetamine; 250 cartons of Lotus sardines without NAFDAC numbers; 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry products; and 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Additional interceptions comprised 101 bags of imported sugar weighing 50 kilogrammes each, 12 bags of Grain Oat products weighing 25 kilogrammes each, eight bags of imported creamer powdered milk weighing 25 kilogrammes each, eight live pangolins, 20 cartons of couscous, 33 used rims and one 40-foot container, number SEG U5347239, containing 2,760 pieces of office chairs in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) form.
The Unit also intercepted 11 means of conveyance.
Afeni expressed concern over the quantity of narcotics intercepted, particularly the cannabis consignments, which he said posed serious risks to public health and young people.
He cited the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2025, which identified cannabis as the most available and widely used drug, while accounting for an estimated 42 per cent of drug use disorder cases worldwide.
He said the interception had helped prevent the circulation of dangerous substances and their associated social and health consequences.
On the seizure of 23,220 pieces of new matchets, Afeni warned that smugglers imported the items without the required certificates and permits, adding that they could be deployed to disrupt peaceful elections.
He said the Unit would measure its success not only by the volume of seizures but also by the harm its operations prevented.
Afeni attributed the achievements to intelligence-driven enforcement, improved surveillance, risk-based examination, stricter compliance checks and stronger collaboration with relevant government agencies.
He listed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) among the agencies supporting the operations.
He said the Unit would hand over seized narcotics and suspects to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while other prohibited items would go to the appropriate agencies in line with their statutory responsibilities.
The Acting Comptroller assured importers, licensed customs agents and other members of the trading public that the Unit would facilitate legitimate trade but would not tolerate duty evasion, false declarations or activities that threaten national security.
He urged members of the public to report suspicious activities and support lawful trade, while warning smugglers and economic saboteurs that the Unit would continue to disrupt their networks and enforce the law.
Afeni commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the NCS management for the confidence reposed in him, while praising officers of the Unit for their courage, professionalism and commitment to duty.
