The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, has intercepted 473 smuggling attempts and seized contraband with a Duty Paid Value of N5.5 billion in a major enforcement operation across the South-West.
The Customs Area Controller, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed that the seizures were recorded within an eight-week period between February and April, attributing the success to enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency collaboration.
Items confiscated include 8,794 bags of foreign rice, 22 used vehicles, 31,705 litres of premium motor spirit, 1,188 kegs of vegetable oil, and 328 bales of used clothing, among others.
The operation also led to significant drug seizures, including 3,340 parcels of cannabis weighing 1,540kg and cocaine valued at approximately N2.35 billion, intercepted along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.
Customs further recovered N97.7 million from underpaid duties through compliance enforcement measures, reflecting broader efforts to curb revenue leakages.
Officials said the intensified crackdown spans Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states, with several suspects arrested in connection with the offences.
The agency noted that smugglers are adopting increasingly sophisticated tactics, prompting the deployment of advanced technologies such as drone surveillance, satellite imagery, and predictive analytics to strengthen enforcement operations.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to combating illicit trade and protecting Nigeria’s economy, warning that enforcement efforts will continue to target economic saboteurs and cross-border criminal networks.
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