FOU seizes 8,798 bags, 3,340 parcels of cannabis, 21 vehicles
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the seizure of 8,794 bags of 50kg, four bags of 25kg, 3,340 parcels of cannabis and
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the seizure of 8,794 bags of 50kg, four bags of 25kg, 3,340 parcels of cannabis and 21 vehicles in a recent operation.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, the Comptroller of the Unit, Gambo Aliyu, said the seizures were made within eight weeks of intensified anti-smuggling operations across the South-West states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ondo.
Aliyu disclosed that the unit thwarted no fewer than 473 smuggling attempts during the period under review, leveraging advanced surveillance systems, intelligence-sharing frameworks and inter-agency collaboration.
He gave a breakdown of the seizures to include 8,794 bags of 50kg rice equivalent to about 15 trailer loads, 22 used vehicles, 1,863 used refrigerator compressors, 328 bales of used clothing, and 1,188 kegs of vegetable oil.
Other items intercepted, according to him, include 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 485 used tyres, 69 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 24 bags of foreign sugar, five cartons of St. Louis sugar, and 531 cartons of foreign poultry products.
The Customs boss also revealed that the unit recorded a major breakthrough in its anti-narcotics operations with the seizure of 3,340 parcels of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as “Ghanaian loud” weighing 1,540 kilograms.
He explained that the seizure was part of a special enforcement drive codenamed “Operation Hawk,” aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks and cutting off supply chains within the zone.
“Our analysis shows that traffickers are devising new methods to perpetuate illicit trade. This underscores the need for enhanced intelligence-sharing among security agencies,” Aliyu said.
In a related development, the Comptroller disclosed that operatives at the Gbaji outpost intercepted a 71-year-old suspect, Oni Iredia Martins, along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor with 6.35 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a Toyota Highlander.
He stated that the consignment, comprising both powdered and crystalline variants of cocaine, has an estimated street value of N2.35 billion.
Aliyu further revealed that the seized cannabis and cocaine would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
In another operation, Customs officers intercepted four cylinders of high-grade mercury concealed in a Toyota Avensis, noting that the substance is a controlled chemical used in illegal gold mining and poses serious environmental hazards.
He said the suspect linked to the mercury seizure had been granted administrative bail, while the case would be transferred to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further action.
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On revenue generation, Aliyu said the unit recorded a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N5.5 billion from seizures made during the period, describing it as a testament to the scale and effectiveness of its enforcement operations.
He added that the unit also recovered N97.7 million through the issuance of Demand Notices on improperly declared consignments between February and April 2026.
The Comptroller noted that the unit is advancing the digitisation of its operations through the deployment of geospatial intelligence tools, including satellite imagery, drone surveillance and real-time tracking systems to monitor smuggling routes.
He also disclosed plans for a phased relocation of the unit to its newly commissioned headquarters in Iperu, Ogun State, which he said would enhance operational efficiency and inter-agency collaboration.
Aliyu reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to combating smuggling, protecting the nation’s economy and facilitating legitimate trade, while commending officers of the unit for their dedication and professionalism.
