…. recovers N5.5bn in Lagos, others
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday announced the interception of 3,340 parcels of synthetic strain of cannabis indica (Ghanaian loud) weighing 1,540kg; N2.35bn cocaine weighing 2.3kg and four parcels of methamphetamine weighing 4.1kg of crack cocaine, totalling 6.4kg; and four cylinders of chemical confirmed to be high-grade mercury, across borders in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states.
The unit also revealed that its officers achieved remarkable success in revenue recovery through sustained enforcement of compliance measures and anti-smuggling operations, recording revenue with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N5,504,039,720.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Gambo Aliyu, stated that “Under my humble leadership, the Unit intensified decisive measures against smugglers who would stop at nothing to undermine the enforcement of the Federal government fiscal policy measures and the provisions of the NCS Act 2023.
“The unit leveraging on advanced surveillance, intelligence sharing frameworks, and inter-agency collaboration thwarted 473 smuggling attempts within eight weeks of our operations resulting in seizures of the following items: 8,794 bags of 50kg rice each equivalent to 15 trailer loads; 22 units of used Tokunbo vehicles; 1,863 pieces of used refrigerator compressors; 328 bales of used clothing; 1,188 kegs of 25 litres of vegetable oil; 31,705 litres of PMS; 485 pieces of used tyres; 69 cartons of foreign Bonita spaghetti; 24 bags 50kg each of foreign sugar; five cartons of ST Louis; and 531 cartons of foreign poultry products.
“In the same vein, the unit reinforced its anti-smuggling strategies to continuously cut supply chain networks in drug trafficking with the launch of an operation code named ‘OPERATION HAWK’.
“This is aimed at curbing illicit goods trafficking, safeguarding revenue and protecting our society and environment from incidences of crime, criminalities and pervasive societal vices that threaten national stability.
“Against this backdrop, the unit successfully took out 3,340 parcels of synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’, weighing 1540kg from the society.
“This effort is an affirmation of our commitment in the fight against drugs smuggling syndicates in the Zone. Our analysis of the trend in recent times, indicate that the traffickers are devising different methods to perpetuate illicit trade, therefore, there is the need for critical security stakeholders to upscale their intelligence sharing mechanism to cut the supply chain completely.
“In addition to leveraging modern technologies for intelligence gathering, I have also constituted and effectively coordinated a specialised team responsible for integrating Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) operations, which is already yielding positive and measurable results.
“In a separate operation, officers and men of the Gbaji outpost acting on credible intelligence at about 0645hrs of Thursday 30th April 2026, intercepted a green coloured Toyota Highlander driven by one Mr. Oni Iredia Martins, a 71year old male Nigerian citizen suspected to convey a Narcotics substance.
“Further examination of the vehicle revealed six parcels of cocaine substance, with 2 parcels of the powdered substance Cocaine weighing 2.3kg, and 4 parcels of the Methamphetamine weighing 4.1kg of crack cocaine, all totalling 6.4kg of the illicit substance.
“The consignment was intercepted at Elijah Bus stop along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, and has a street value of approximately N2.35bn. The numerous seizures occurred across borders in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states. Several defendants were arrested in connection with these operations.
“In a clear demonstration of inter-agency collaboration, the seized 1,540kg of synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’, totalling 3,340 compressed packages, together with the 6.4kg of cocaine and methamphetamine will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution in courts of competent jurisdictions.
“These seizures underscore the operational prowess and strategic effectiveness of our operatives. They also reinforce our unwavering dedication to disrupt smuggling networks and confront economic saboteurs whose actions threaten national security and undermine the fiscal policies of the federal government headlong.
“In a similar development, vigilant officers on duty seized four cylinders of a chemical confirmed to be high-grade mercury. The item is illegally used in small-scale mining of gold. The item is a dual-purpose chemical that poses significant environmental hazards and is controlled by the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
“The items were concealed in the false bottom segment in the trunk of a Toyota Avensis, at the Gbaji Outpost, along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
“The arrest was effected together with a male suspect who has been granted administrative bail, as investigation reached an advanced stage. The items and the suspect would be handed over to NESREA in furtherance of our agency function as directed by Headquarters.
“In addition to the numerous physical seizures and arrests made, the unit also achieved remarkable success in revenue recovery through sustained enforcement of compliance measures and anti-smuggling operations.
“A Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N5,504,039,720 was recorded during the period under review. This impressive figure is a clear testimony to the scale, intensity, and strategic effectiveness of our operations across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states.
“It underscores the unit’s unwavering commitment to the recovery of unpaid duties, interception of under-declared consignments, and strict enforcement of the Federal Government’s fiscal policies.
“Aside enforcement operations, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ (FOU), also plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with import and export regulations.
“Strengthening the integrity of the declarations on the trade value chain remains a priority. In line with the ONE STOP initiative of the Service, the unit continues to scrutinize questionable declarations, interdict unpaid duty and issue Demand Notices (DN) in concert with the Post Clearance Audit, where necessary.
“Consequently, between 3rd February and 28th April 2026, a total of N97,703,596.55 only was recovered.”
On digitalisation, the FOU Zone A Comptroller added that “in alignment with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for a modern, technology-driven Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ is aggressively advancing the digitization of its operations.
“We are integrating cutting-edge technologies, particularly geospatial intelligence, to curb unwholesome practices including smuggling, under-declaration, duty evasion, and illicit trafficking.
“This includes the deployment of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery, drone surveillance, real-time vehicle tracking, and predictive analytics to map high-risk border corridors, monitor smuggling hotspots in real time across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states, and enable proactive, intelligence-led operations.
“Geospatial tools allow us to overlay seizure data, movement patterns of contraband such as rice, used vehicles, and narcotics, and intelligence reports on digital maps.
“This facilitates better resource allocation, rapid response, and disruption of supply chains before they reach our highways. The recent commissioning of our new state-of-the-art Command Headquarters at Iperu in Ogun State provides the perfect infrastructure backbone for this modernization drive. The facility will host an advanced Command and Control Centre equipped for geospatial monitoring, data analytics, and seamless inter-agency collaboration with NDLEA, Police, and other security and intelligence organisations.”
