Nigeria Customs Intercepts N3.32 Billion Worth of Prohibited Items in Major Lagos Operation
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone 'A' in Ikeja, has made a significant seizure of prohibited goods valued at approximately N3.32 billion across Lagos and surrounding areas. This major interception was announced by the Area Controller of the unit, Aliyu Gambo, during a detailed media briefing held in Lagos.
Intelligence-Led Operations Yield Massive Haul
According to Controller Gambo, these seizures are the direct result of intelligence-driven operations that followed a comprehensive reorganisation of patrol strategies and enforcement methods. The command successfully recorded a total of 144 seizures after shifting from predictable checkpoint operations to more targeted and strategic deployments throughout the Lagos metropolis and its environs.
Detailed Breakdown of Seized Items
The intercepted prohibited goods include a wide array of items, highlighting the scale and diversity of the operation:
- 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, which is equivalent to approximately 12 trailer loads.
- 77 bags of foreign sugar and 3,362 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil.
- 21 used vehicles and 20,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
- 915 bales of used clothing and a 20-foot container loaded with stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets.
In a particularly notable interception, Customs officials seized 3,029 parcels of synthetic drug, commonly known as "Ghanaian Loud," with a combined weight of about 1,431 kilogrammes. Controller Gambo emphasized that drug peddling plays a critical role in fueling serious crimes such as banditry and terrorism, and this operation has effectively disrupted criminal supply chains that contribute to insecurity in the region.
Environmental and Wildlife Interceptions
Beyond economic items, the command also recorded significant environmental and wildlife-related seizures. This includes the rescue of four live pangolins along Alapa Creek in Ajilete, which were promptly handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre. Additionally, officers intercepted 581 used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle. Gambo noted that these items pose substantial environmental and public health risks due to hazardous substances and greenhouse gas emissions, with the seizure being conducted in strict compliance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the Basel Convention on hazardous waste.
Arrests and Financial Recoveries
In connection with these seizures, eight suspects were arrested and are currently under investigation. The intercepted synthetic drugs will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution, underscoring the importance of inter-agency collaboration in combating crime.
Furthermore, the unit recovered N36.89 million through demand notices issued for cargo misdeclaration and other trade compliance violations between December 10, 2025, and the time of the briefing. This highlights the Customs Service's broader role in ensuring trade integrity and revenue protection.
Commitment to Security and Legitimate Trade
Controller Gambo reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to tackling smuggling, trans-border crimes, and economic sabotage. He emphasized that the service remains dedicated to facilitating legitimate trade through intelligence-driven operations and robust cooperation with other security agencies, ensuring a balanced approach to enforcement and economic facilitation.
This operation follows recent similar efforts, including the handover of expired raw materials to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), demonstrating the Customs Service's proactive stance in safeguarding public health and economic stability.
