Customs FOU ‘A’ Thwarts 473 Smuggling Attempts Worth N5.5bn in 8-Weeks, Seizes Narcotics Worth N2.35bn

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 473 smuggling attempts within eight weeks of operations across the South-Western states, recording seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦5.5 billion and narcotics with a street value of approximately ₦2.35 billion.

Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, who commands the unit, disclosed these figures at a press briefing held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Lagos, saying the results were achieved through advanced surveillance, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency collaboration.

Among the items seized were 8,794 bags of rice (50kg each), 22 used vehicles, 1,863 used refrigerator compressors, 328 bales of used clothing, 1,188 kegs of vegetable oil, 31,705 litres of PMS, 485 used tyres, 69 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 531 cartons of foreign poultry products, and assorted foreign food items.

In a targeted anti-narcotics drive, the unit launched a special operation codenamed “OPERATION HAWK,” netting 3,340 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica known as ‘Ghanaian loud,’ weighing 1,540kg.
Aliyu said the operation reflects a deliberate strategy to dismantle trafficking supply chains.

“This effort is an affirmation of our commitment in the fight against drugs smuggling syndicates in the Zone. Our analysis of the trend in recent times indicate that the traffickers are devising different methods to perpetuate illicit trade, therefore, there is the need for critical security stakeholders to upscale their intelligence sharing mechanism to cut the supply chain completely

“In addition to leveraging modern technologies for intelligence gathering, I have also constituted and effectively coordinated a specialised team responsible for integrating Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) operations, which is already yielding positive and measurable results” he said

In a separate operation, officers at the Gbaji outpost intercepted a green Toyota Highlander at the Elijah Bus Stop along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

The vehicle was driven by one Mr. Oni Iredia Martins, a 71-year-old Nigerian male.
A search of the vehicle uncovered 6 parcels of narcotic substances — 2 parcels of powdered cocaine weighing 2.3kg and 4 parcels of methamphetamine weighing 4.1kg — totalling 6.4kg with an estimated street value of ₦2.35 billion.

All recovered narcotics, including the 1,540kg of cannabis indica, will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

Officers at the Gbaji outpost also seized four cylinders of high-grade mercury, a chemical controlled under the Minamata Convention on Mercury and commonly used illegally in artisanal gold mining. The cylinders were concealed in a false compartment in the trunk of a Toyota Avensis.

A male suspect was arrested and granted administrative bail, with the case to be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

The unit posted a DPV of ₦5,504,039,720 for the period under review, spanning operations across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states. Additionally, between February 3 and April 28, 2026, a further ₦97,703,596.55 was recovered through compliance enforcement and post-clearance audit activities.

Comptroller Aliyu also highlighted the unit’s move towards geospatial intelligence, deploying Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drone surveillance, satellite imagery, real-time vehicle tracking, and predictive analytics to map high-risk corridors and monitor smuggling hotspots.

He noted that the recently commissioned Command Headquarters at Iperu, Ogun State, will serve as the nerve centre for this modernisation drive, housing an advanced Command and Control Centre built for geospatial monitoring and inter-agency coordination.

Aliyu expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and direction, and praised operatives for their dedication to securing the nation’s borders against economic sabotage.