FOU Zone 'A' Seized Goods Worth ₦1.2 billion, Arrested Seven Suspects
Bisi Akingbade
Nigeria Customs Service, NCS)p, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, has Seized goods Worth ₦1.2 billion through anti-smuggling campaign, and arrested seven suspects linked to 46 seizures within the past two weeks.
Briefing journalists in Lagos today, the Controller of the Unit, Mohammed Shiaibu, said the operation was driven by renewed intelligence-led strategies aimed at combating smuggling and economic sabotage.
“These seizures are the result of our renewed vigour to fight smuggling and criminality. Our operatives have inflicted substantial losses on economic saboteurs who are bent on undermining our economy,” Shiaibu said.
"On May 23 and 24, 2025, around 3:00 am and 2:30 am respectively, Customs patrol teams intercepted two 40-foot containers—MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090—along the Ijora-Olopa and Mile 2 axis in Lagos. Upon inspection, the containers were found to contain seven Mitsubishi Canters, five Toyota Hiace buses, and three mini shuttle buses—all dismantled to evade customs duties.
"Other seized items include bulletproof vests, used bicycles, 312 bales of printed wax, 23 bales of used clothing, 42 used gas cylinders, 30 used flat-screen TVs, 65 table top cookers, and 31 units of used split air conditioners. These items, Shiaibu noted, violate Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff.
"Additionally, on May 19, 2025, at about 3:00 am, another patrol team intercepted a Volvo truck loaded with 1,263 used tyres and other contraband items. One suspect was arrested in connection with the interception.
Comptroller Shiaibu said that the command is committed to intensifying efforts against smuggling, thereby warns perpetrators that the service would not relent in its mission to protect Nigeria’s economy and national security.
"In the same vein, “on the 19th of May 2025 at about 23:00hrs, our officers on a routine patrol along Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode expressway in Ogun State, intercepted one truck with registration number T24623LA suspected to be conveying uncustoms goods including Bullet Proof vests. Again, an investigation report revealed the content to include some packages of Tramadol.
He concluded that "On the 26th of May 2025, at about 0600hrs, through intelligence-driven operations, he said, “our men on the Ijebu-Ode patrol team arrested one empty Mercedes Benz truck. Thorough rummaging of the truck and careful observation by our officers led to the uncovering of Cannabis Sativa (India Hemp) in the compartments of the truck. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.
