Advertisement
Customs Seizes Contraband Worth N3.23bn in Ikeja
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, has intercepted 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods valued at N3.23 billion, while recovering N728.9 million in revenue within eight weeks.
Customs spokesman Hussaini Abdullahi described the operation as a “decisive show of resolve to defend Nigeria’s economic frontiers,” stressing that it was anchored on risk profiling, compliance checks, and targeted strikes against suspicious declarations.
The seizures included 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to eight trailer loads), 12 foreign-used vehicles, 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing 1,439.9kg, and 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg.
Other items were crystal meth, tramadol tablets, Hypnox, elephant tusks, poultry products, used clothing, tyres, and petroleum products.
Customs Area Controller Gambo Aliyu said the revenue recovery was encouraging and reaffirmed the unit’s determination to identify and recover losses from under-declaration, false declarations, and customs fraud.
“The unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while taking decisive action against individuals and businesses engaged in smuggling and revenue evasion,” he stated.
Aliyu emphasized that the interception of rice, vegetable oil, poultry, and used clothing would help protect domestic industries and support food security.
He added that seizures of illicit drugs and elephant tusks reinforced efforts to safeguard public health and combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
He attributed the successes to enhanced intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and stakeholder cooperation.
“The unit appreciates the continued support of sister agencies, stakeholders, border communities, and members of the public whose intelligence and cooperation contribute significantly to its enforcement efforts,” Aliyu said.
The Customs boss assured compliant traders of a fair and transparent trading environment, warning that the service would sustain its zero-tolerance approach to smuggling and economic sabotage.
He called for collective vigilance to consolidate gains in revenue recovery, border protection, and national development.
