By The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted smuggled goods worth N1.72 billion in the past month. The seized items include 3,832 bags of foreign rice, 27 used vehicles, 494 jerry cans of petrol, 27 bales of used clothing, 95 bags of charcoal, and over 3,600 kg of cannabis.
Customs officials also confirmed the arrest of six suspects linked to the smuggling operations. Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Comptroller Kola Oladeji emphasized that the seizures align with efforts to curb illegal imports and exports, enforcing the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
Oladeji highlighted that Customs has intensified border surveillance across the South-West, with ongoing operations such as “Swift Sting Operations” yielding significant results. He noted that 82 interceptions were recorded in the past month alone.
“These successes were not achieved easily. Our officers spent countless hours patrolling and conducting surveillance to combat smuggling,” Oladeji stated, reaffirming the unit’s commitment to tackling economic sabotage.
Beyond enforcement, Customs plans to engage with the public to educate them on the negative impacts of smuggling. Meanwhile, the unit also recovered N72.4 million from importers who underpaid duties at the ports.
Oladeji praised Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi’s trade facilitation strategies, which he said are improving revenue generation and boosting Nigeria’s economy.
