The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, has intercepted 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.24 billion and recovered N728.98 million in lost revenue.
The seizures resulted from intelligence-driven operations, enhanced risk profiling, rigorous compliance checks and targeted enforcement actions against suspicious and fraudulent declarations.
According to the Unit, the seizures comprised a wide range of prohibited and controlled items, including 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 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; 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg; 240,000 tablets of Tramadol; and 12,000 tablets of Hypnox.
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Other items seized included 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg; 964 25-litre jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit, equivalent to 24,100 litres; 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil containing four five-litre units each; 686 cartons of foreign poultry products; 414 bales of used clothing; and 2,947 used tyres, among others.
Commenting on the seizures and revenue recovery, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, Customs Area Controller of FOU Zone A, described the development as a significant achievement in the Unit’s efforts to protect government revenue and safeguard the nation’s economic interests.
He said the Unit would continue to identify and recover revenue lost through under-declaration, false declaration, undervaluation and other forms of customs fraud.
The Comptroller advised importers, exporters and licensed customs agents to adhere strictly to extant customs laws and regulations.
“The Customs Service remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade and creating a fair and predictable trading environment for compliant businesses,” he stated.
Aliyu, however, warned that the Unit would maintain its zero-tolerance approach to smuggling, revenue evasion, and other activities that undermine Nigeria’s economic interests.
“The interception of foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing and other prohibited goods will contribute to protecting local industries, supporting domestic production, strengthening food security and safeguarding legitimate government revenue,” the Comptroller explained.
According to Comptroller Aliyu, the seizure of illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products represents an important intervention in protecting public health by preventing the circulation of substances capable of harming citizens and undermining the wellbeing of young Nigerians.
He added that the recovery of elephant tusks underscored the Service’s contribution to combating illegal wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species.
The Comptroller attributed the successes recorded by the Unit to enhanced intelligence gathering, effective risk profiling, intelligence fusion, inter-agency collaboration, and the cooperation of stakeholders and members of the public.
