The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against smuggling, with the interception of bulletproof vests, 1,665kg of Cannabis Sativa, 11 disassembled vehicles, and a wide range of other contraband goods, all valued at a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1.28 billion.
The announcement was made by Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, Area Controller of FOU Zone A, during a press briefing held in Lagos on Tuesday. The seizures, he explained, were the result of intelligence-led patrols and surveillance operations across several southwestern states, including Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo.
One of the most alarming interceptions occurred on May 19, 2025, when officers, during a routine patrol along the Shagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway, intercepted a suspicious truck with registration number T24623LA. Upon inspection, the vehicle was found to be carrying bulletproof vests and packages of the banned opioid, Tramadol raising serious concerns about the security implications of such materials falling into the wrong hands.
In another operation conducted between May 23 and 24, officers intercepted two 40-foot containers (MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090) in the Ijora-Olopa and Mile 2 axis of Lagos. The containers were discovered to contain smuggled vehicles, including:
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Seven Mitsubishi Canters
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Five Toyota Hiace buses
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Three mini shuttle buses
These vehicles had been strategically disassembled in an apparent attempt to evade customs duties.
Additionally, the containers were packed with 312 bales of printed wax fabrics, used gas cylinders, televisions, cookers, air conditioners, and other prohibited or improperly declared goods.
On May 26, customs operatives patrolling around Ijebu-Ode apprehended a suspect in connection with a Mercedes-Benz truck that appeared empty. A closer inspection revealed that 1,665kg of Cannabis Sativa had been carefully hidden in customized compartments within the truck demonstrating the increasingly sophisticated techniques employed by smugglers.
Other major seizures recorded during the operations include:
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2,051 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to four truckloads)
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4,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
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One J5 commercial bus loaded with expired food items
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One Volvo truck transporting 180 sacks of new towels
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1,263 used tyres
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And several other restricted and undeclared items
In total, seven suspects were arrested during these operations, with key smuggling routes disrupted across locations such as Idiroko, Imeko, Ilaro, Ilara, Gbaji, Badagry, Abeokuta, and Iseyin.
“These interceptions underscore the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to safeguard Nigeria’s borders against economic saboteurs,” said Comptroller Shuaibu.
He added that the cannabis seizures would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action, while all other items would be processed in accordance with customs regulations.
In addition to the physical seizures, the Customs Unit also recovered ₦48.34 million in lost revenue by issuing Demand Notices (DNs) to importers who made false or improper declarations during the period
under review.
Since assuming office on April 23, 2025, Comptroller Shuaibu has prioritized coordinated enforcement, trade facilitation, and national security. He reaffirmed the service’s resolve to continually evolve its strategies to outsmart smugglers, emphasizing that customs officers would not be deterred by threats or increasingly elaborate concealment methods.
“We will continue to strengthen our intelligence network and act decisively against those undermining our economy and endangering national security,” he said.
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