By Chioma Vivian James

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ (FOU ‘A’), Ikeja-Lagos, has intensified its crackdown on smuggling and customs fraud, intercepting 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.24 billion and recovering N728.98 million in lost government revenue.

The latest enforcement operation underscores the growing sophistication of the Customs Service’s intelligence-led approach to border control, revenue protection and the suppression of illicit trade.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Hussaini Abdullahi, ANIPR, Chief Superintendent of Customs and Customs Public Relations Officer, for the Comptroller, FOU ‘A’.

According to the statement, the seizures and revenue recovery were achieved through enhanced intelligence gathering, risk profiling, compliance checks, intelligence fusion and targeted interventions against suspicious declarations and other customs violations.

Massive Contraband Haul

Among the items intercepted were 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads, alongside 12 foreign-used vehicles and significant quantities of illicit drugs and controlled substances.

The illicit substances included 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa), weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg; and 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg.

Customs officers also intercepted 240,000 tablets of Tramadol and 12,000 tablets of Hypnox, further highlighting the public-health implications of the smuggling activities uncovered by the Unit.

The haul extended beyond food products and pharmaceuticals. Customs seized 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg, reinforcing the agency’s role in combating illegal wildlife trafficking.

Also intercepted were 964 25-litre jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), totalling 24,100 litres, as well as 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil, 686 cartons of foreign poultry products, 414 bales of used clothing and 2,947 pieces of used tyres.

N729m Revenue Saved

Commenting on the operation, Comptroller of FOU ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, described the recovery of N728.98 million in government revenue as encouraging.

He said the Unit would continue to identify and recover revenue lost through under-declaration, false declarations and other forms of customs fraud.

Aliyu urged importers, exporters and licensed customs agents to make accurate declarations and comply fully with existing customs laws and regulations.

According to him, the Unit’s mandate goes beyond seizure operations, as it seeks to create a trading environment where legitimate businesses can operate while those engaged in smuggling and revenue evasion face decisive enforcement action.

Protecting Local Industry, Food Security

The Comptroller said the interception of foreign rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing and other prohibited goods would help protect domestic industries, promote national food security and safeguard legitimate government revenue.

He stressed that the Service remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining a firm stance against smuggling, revenue fraud and economic sabotage.

Drugs, Wildlife and Public Safety

Beyond their economic implications, the seizures also carry significant public-safety and environmental dimensions.

Aliyu noted that the interception of illicit drugs, unregulated pharmaceutical products and other controlled substances would help prevent the circulation of harmful substances, particularly among young Nigerians.

He also pointed to the recovery of the elephant tusks as evidence of the Customs Service’s contribution to the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking and the protection of endangered species.

Intelligence Drives Enforcement

The Comptroller attributed the success of the operation to improved intelligence gathering, risk profiling, intelligence fusion, inter-agency collaboration and the cooperation of stakeholders, border communities and members of the public.

He assured compliant traders that the Service remained committed to maintaining a fair, predictable and transparent trading environment, even as it sustains a zero-tolerance approach to smuggling and customs-related revenue fraud.

The latest operation further demonstrates the delicate balance confronting border enforcement agencies: facilitating legitimate commerce while preventing the movement of goods capable of undermining domestic production, public health, national revenue and security.

The NCS, through FOU ‘A’, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic objectives by protecting domestic production, promoting compliance, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the entry and circulation of prohibited and harmful goods.

Aliyu called for sustained cooperation from the business community and the general public, stressing that collective vigilance and compliance remained essential to consolidating gains in revenue recovery, border protection, public safety and national economic development.