Customs Anti-smuggling Czar, Compt Shuaibu Harvests Seizures Worth N1.5billion At Customs FOU ‘A’
Controller of Customs FOU Zone A, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu (2nd left) hands over seized Cannabis Sativa to operatives of the NDLEA in Lagos Ikeja.
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, the newly appointed head of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, has announced a significant haul of seized goods valued at over N1.5 billion in his maiden press briefing today, Friday 16th, May 2025.
Speaking at the FOU Zone A headquarters, Comptroller Shuaibu detailed the unit’s impressive achievements since he assumed leadership on April 23, 2025.
In line with the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s mandate for open governance, Comptroller Shuaibu highlighted a shift towards intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operations, moving away from routine stop-and-search tactics to ensure efficiency and reduce delays.
The significant seizures, a testament to this new approach, include seven 20-foot containers intercepted within Lagos. Preliminary investigations revealed the containers to be laden with a variety of illicit items, including used tyres and a vehicle, foreign parboiled rice, new shoes, new clothes, and new bags.
Furthermore, Comptroller Shuaibu reported substantial success in securing the southwestern borders, leading to the interception of 4,085 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to seven trailer loads), 15 illegally imported used vehicles, 82 packs of Tramadol, 246 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, 290 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and 12 bales and 4 sacks of used clothing.
The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seized items amounts to a staggering N1,501,312,425.
Four suspects have been apprehended in connection with these seizures.
Comptroller Shuaibu reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to combating smuggling and illicit trade, emphasizing their dedication to protecting the nation’s economy and citizens.
He also stressed the importance of collaboration with other security agencies and border communities in dismantling smuggling networks.
In the spirit of inter-agency cooperation, the seized 246kg of Cannabis Sativa were subsequently handed over to the officials of National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while the Tramadol was transferred to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and prosecution.
Highlighting the importance of trade facilitation, Comptroller Shuaibu outlined plans for intelligence-driven operations to create a more efficient and transparent trading environment, including the intended collapse of all patrol points within Lagos metropolis.
He urged declarants to remain honest in their declarations to avoid unnecessary complications.
Comptroller Shuaibu expressed his gratitude to the CGC and his team for the opportunity to serve and commended the dedication of the FOU Zone A officers. He also acknowledged the media for their continued support in their efforts to curb illicit trade.
