By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in its sweeping crackdown on unrepentant smugglers, has recorded seizures worth duty paid value (DPV) of Three Billion, Three Hundred and Nineteen Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-three Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-five Naira, ₦3,319.893,255.00.
The unit Controller, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, who announced this development on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, during his maiden press briefing, also disclosed the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the seizures.
According to Comptroller Aliyu, the unit, in ensuring continued enforcement of import and export compliance, beamed its searchlight on mis-declaration of cargo, following which some Demand Notices (DN) were issued, resulting in the recovery Thirty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty-six Naira (N36,891,826) from December 10, 2025 to date, in alignment with its core mandate of strengthening the integrity of the supply chain, through a rigorous gap analysis.
He listed the seized items to include 6,954 bags of (50kg each) foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to 12 trailer load; 77 bags of foreign sugar, each weighing 50kg; 21 assorted Tokunbo vehicles; 3,362 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil (25 litres each); 20,700 litres of PMS; 915 bales of used clothing; one 20ft container (SUDU 7640333) 20 pallets of stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets.
Also intercepted according to him were, 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’, weighing 1,431kg; four live pangolins; 581 used refrigerator compressors, concealed in a vehicle.
Comptroller Aliyu also said, “Amidst rising crime and criminality in our country today, the unit under my watch intensified the onslaught against drug trafficking syndicates within our Area of responsibility, through the interception of 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’, weighing 1,431kg. This singular move significantly disrupted supply chains networks. These efforts occurred against the backdrop of spiralling incidences of banditry, terrorism and pervasive societal vices that threaten national stability. Relative to these operations, the Command just this morning, 3 Feb 26, lost one of its promising officers, who fell to the cold hands of death in the Service of our Fatherland. This loss has already been communicated to the Service high Command”.
Below is the full statement by the Comptroller.
MAIDEN PRESS BRIEFING BY COMPTROLLER GAMBO ALIYU COMPTROLLER, FEDERAL OPERATIONS UNIT ZONE A, IKEJA LAGOS TUESDAY, 3RD FEBRUARY 2026, MOBOLAJI BANK ANTHONY WAY IKEJA, LAGOS.
1. Distinguished members of the press, esteemed officers and men of the unit, I’m delighted to welcome you to the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, for my inaugural press briefing as the Comptroller of this unit. Coincidentally, this engagement also marks our first interaction with the media in the year 2026. May I extend my heartfelt congratulations and happy prosperous new year to all of us. It is my sincere prayer that this year will favour all of us, Ameen.
2. I deeply appreciate your presence and continued partnership in our shared task of securing our borders, economy, and the safety of our people. Upon assumption of duty at the Command a few weeks ago, I made a clear commitment that we will confront smuggling syndicates with renewed vigour, professional discipline, and complete respect for the rule of law and human dignity. This approach would be driven by three guiding principles of Change Management, Compliance Management & Reputational Management, guided by inclusivity.
3. We understood from the very beginning that we could not achieve different results employing the old ways. Therefore, we took a careful review of our operations, deployment patterns, and internal processes to make informed decisions. These include strengthening internal supervision, with clear performance indicators for every team member, reorganizing patrols using intelligence-driven deployment rather than routine predictable checkpoints, particularly within the Lagos metropolis.
4. This approach led to significant interception of 144 smuggling attempts with goods of different brands. These items are:
i. 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg each equivalent to eleven (12) trailer loads.
ii. 77 bags of foreign sugar, each weighing 50kg.
iii. 21 unit of assorted Tokunbo vehicles.
iv. 3,362 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil 25 litres each.
v. 20,700 litres of PMS.
vi. 915 bales of used clothing.
vii. 1 X 20FT Container (SUDU 7640333) 20 Pallets of stone coated aluminium roofing sheets.
5. Amidst rising crime and criminality in our country today, the unit under my watch intensified the onslaught against drug trafficking syndicates within our Area of responsibility, through the interception of 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’, weighing 1,431kg. This singular move significantly disrupted supply chains networks. These efforts occurred against the backdrop of spiralling incidences of banditry, terrorism and pervasive societal vices that threaten national stability. Relative to these operations, the Command just this morning, 3 Feb 26, lost one of its promising officers, who fell to the cold hands of death in the Service of our Fatherland. This loss has already been communicated to the Service high Command.
6. Drug trafficking fuels these threats by providing chemical catalyst such as Methamphetamine and others that embolden perpetrators, erode morale and destabilize the nation. The effects ripple through public spaces, increase health burdens from addiction related illnesses, with attendant economic losses from youth unemployment among others. Considering the dangers involved in drug usage and its effect on our society, I urge perpetrators of this illicit trade to be patriotic enough to change their ways and embrace legitimate trade or face the consequences of their actions, as our determination is resolute.
7. Other notable seizures within the period under review include, four (4) live pangolins intercepted along the waterways of Alapa Creek, Ajilete. The seized endangered species, which are the most endangered mammals in the world, were since handed to Wildlife Conservation Centre for safekeeping. This effort underscores our country’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws and discouraging trade in endangered species.
8. The Seizure of 581 (Five Hundred and Eighty-One) used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle. This seizure is a vital win for Nigeria’s environment and public safety, considering its effects on environment, and this move reaffirms our commitment to the Basel Convention (1989). Both Section 55(1), (d) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023) & the Basel Convention relates to the control of Trans boundary hazardous waste movements, to protect developing nations like Nigeria. Used Compressors often carry hazardous oils, refrigerants, and residues that leach toxins into soil and emit Green House Gases (GHGs) like Carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide among others that deplete the ozone layer, if not properly disposed. Section 55(1), (d) of NCS Act (2023) authorizes the seizure of prohibited imports that threaten the environment. This aligns our laws with international best practice in environmental protection.
9. Eight (8) suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which have a duty paid value (DPV) of N 3,319.893,255.00 (Three Billion, Three Hundred and Nineteen Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira) only.
10. The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed in its efforts to combat smuggling, other forms of illicit trade and trans-border crimes. The achievements recorded testify to our unwavering dedication to protecting our economy and citizenry. We will continue to enforce government fiscal policy and uphold professionalism in the conduct of our duties. The unit will synergise, collaborate & partner with OGA & sister security agencies, including stakeholders and border communities to suppress smuggling.
11. In line with the commitment of the NCS to foster inter-agency collaboration, the seized 3029 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 1, 425kg will be handed over today, 3rd Feb 26 to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution. We enjoin the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or illicit trade to the units help desk. All such reports will be handled in strict confidentiality.
12. In addition to these laudable achievements, the unit continues to enforce import and export compliance by addressing issues of misdeclaration of cargo and some Demand Notices (DN) were issued. Between 10th December 2025- date, a total of N 36,891,826 (Thirty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira) only was recovered. Our core mandate is to strengthen the integrity of the supply chain, through a rigorous gap analysis.
13. We have undertaken to sustaining an enforcement tactics to root out economic saboteurs, as we remain committed to facilitating legitimate trade.
Gentlemen of the press,
14. In conclusion, I express my profound gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD Psc (+) and the Management team for this opportunity to serve as comptroller FOU A. We remain committed to fulfilling our obligations to the best of our ability. To our dedicated officers, I commend you and urge you to maintain this momentum. I also extend my sincere appreciation to the media for their continued support.
I thank you for your rapt attention.
GI ALIYU
Comptroller FOU ‘A’
Ikeja – Lagos
