The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, has intercepted contraband goods worth over N1.5 billion in Lagos within a three-week period. The seizures were made between April 23 and May 16, and four suspects were arrested in connection with the illegal items.
This was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Muhammed Shuaibu, during a press briefing in Lagos on Friday. The contraband was handed over to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Among the seized items were:
– Seven 20-foot containers loaded with foreign parboiled rice, used tyres, used vehicles, new shoes, new clothes, and new bags
– 4,085 bags of 50kg foreign rice (equal to seven trailer loads)
– 15 foreign-used vehicles
– 82 packs of Tramadol, each with 10 sachets
– 246 kg of cannabis sativa
– 290 jerry cans of petrol
– 12 bales and 4 sacks of used clothes
Comptroller Shuaibu, who resumed duty on April 23, noted that the seizures were made through intelligence-driven operations that replaced the traditional stop-and-search method, ensuring faster and more effective results.
He also revealed that the command generated N20.7 million from demand notices, auctions of perishable goods, and seized petroleum products from irregular importation.
Shuaibu stressed the Customs Service’s commitment to fighting smuggling, counterfeit products, and illegal trade that threaten Nigeria’s economy and security.
“We remain committed to safeguarding our economy and citizens through strong collaboration with sister agencies,” he said, thanking the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and other officers for their support and professionalism.
The NDLEA Festac Area Commander, Abdul Maiyaki, praised the Customs for handing over the seized drugs and suspects, while Shuiba Muhammad, NAFDAC Taskforce Chairman, also commended the collaboration which he said has helped in reducing drug-related insecurity.
Muhammad added that Customs had also handed over seven trucks of illicit drugs to NAFDAC earlier in the year.
Comptroller Shuaibu urged members of the public to report suspicious activities and advised importers to make honest declarations to avoid clearance issues, promising to sustain a transparent and efficient trade environment in Lagos.
