The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, Imo State, has intercepted two trucks carrying over 3,310 jerrycans and 40 cartons of foreign-smuggled vegetable oil with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N403.5 million along Enugu, Anambra and Delta States.
Details of the Seizure
In a statement by the Comptroller of the Unit, Bishir Balogun, released on Monday, the consignments were intercepted on May 9, 2026, along the ninth miles in Enugu and another one along the Onitsha-Agbor highway on June 7, following credible intelligence. He listed the seized items to include 3,310 jerrycans of 25-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil, 10 jerrycans of 10-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil, 20 cartons of 5-litre sunflower vegetable oil and 20 cartons of 3-litre sunflower vegetable oil.
Impact on Local Economy
Balogun said the seizure is the result of strategic intelligence coordination and coordinated operational activity by officers of the Unit. “This seizure represents a major blow to economic saboteurs whose illegal importation of foreign vegetable oil undermines local industry, technology transfer, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings,” he stated. The comptroller emphasised that the operation demonstrates the Service’s firm commitment to enforcing the NCS Act 2022 (as amended) and the Federal Government’s fiscal and protective measures that prohibit the importation of foreign vegetable oil.
Warning to Smugglers
He urged smugglers and related criminal networks to cease their activities and warned that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to deploy intelligence-led strategies to protect public health, national security, and the domestic economy. According to him, the confiscated jerrycans and cartons remain in custody as investigations continue and appropriate legal processes commence.
