The Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos State, of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, on Friday, May 16, announced the seizure of smuggled goods valued at over ₦1.5 billion, including 10 truckloads of foreign parboiled rice, cannabis, tramadol, and used vehicles.
During his first press briefing since taking office, Customs Area Controller, FOU Zone A, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu said the seizures were made across Lagos and border areas in the South-West.
“In a significant achievement in our ongoing battle against illicit trade, our team acted on credible intelligence and successfully intercepted and seized 7x20ft containers filled with various illicit items within the Lagos metropolis,” Shuaibu said.
He added that three containers loaded with foreign rice were intercepted in Lagos, while 4,085 bags, equivalent to seven trucks, were seized along border corridors.
“Preliminary investigations revealed, MSKU 8551954, used tyres and vehicle, SYDU 1479614, foreign parboiled rice, MSKU 7751689, foreign parboiled rice,” he said.
Shuaibu also listed “MSKU 798700, foreign parboiled rice, ZCSU 8845072, new shoes, ZCSU 7055181, new clothes and PIDU 4258491, new bags” among the intercepted containers.
He disclosed that four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and highlighted the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in curbing illegal trade.
“Within this short period of 3 weeks, this unit has inflicted substantial losses on these non-state actors through the interception of numerous illegal goods.
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“Notable seizures include 4,085 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg, equivalent to 7 trailer loads, 15 illegally imported foreign-used vehicles, 82 packs of Tramadol with 10 sachets per pack, 246 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, 290 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, and 12 bales, 4 sacks of used clothing.
“Four suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which have a Duty Paid Value, DPV, of ₦1.5 billion,” he said.
Shuaibu also announced the unit’s revenue generation of ₦20.8 million, mostly from auctioned PMS and recovery of underpaid duties.
“The unit generates revenue primarily through the interventions executed by our personnel, issuing demand notices, DN, where shortfalls are identified, and conducting auction sales of seized perishable goods.
“We have diligently optimised these revenue streams to ensure accurate recovery of funds, and as of today, we have successfully recovered a total of ₦20.8 million through the issuance of demand notices from irregular importation and auction sales of seized petroleum products,” he said.
Shuaibu stressed that Customs is prioritising intelligence-based operations and trade facilitation, while also pledging to eliminate unnecessary checkpoints across Lagos.
“In an era characterised by increasing global integration, efficient trade facilitation is vital for unlocking economic potential, creating jobs, and fostering regional integration. I take this responsibility seriously.
“Our intelligence-driven operations are designed to create a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive trading environment that will benefit our stakeholders and the public through barrier-free operations, as we intend to collapse all patrol points within Lagos metropolis,” he said.