The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A in Ikeja, Lagos, has revealed that it intercepted goods with a duty paid value of more than N10.1bn and arrested 38 suspects within the past seven months. The outgoing Controller of the unit, Muhammed Shuaibu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a handing-over ceremony held at the command headquarters.
Shuaibu, who has now been promoted to the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, gave a detailed account of the unit’s achievements during his seven-month tenure, which began on April 23, 2025. He highlighted the scale of enforcement operations carried out by the unit, describing them as part of efforts to suppress smuggling and strengthen national security.
According to him, the unit recorded 476 interceptions, leading to the seizure of 761 items with a combined duty paid value of more than N10.1bn. Among the notable seizures were 23,000 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to 38 trailer loads; 98 used vehicles; 2,350 kilograms of cannabis sativa; and 1,820 jerry cans of premium motor spirit smuggled across various routes.
Shuaibu explained that the unit also made significant interceptions of hard drugs, arms, and other security-sensitive items. These included 15 assorted rifles, 4,841 rounds of ammunition, two industrial drones, 25 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and four Russian-made explosive cylinders weighing 50kg each. The unit also seized $30,000 and 110 CFA, amounting to N31m, which has since been permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
He added that the FOU Zone A arrested 38 suspects linked to different smuggling and trafficking offences. The unit also handed over eight containers of expired pharmaceutical products valued at N7.5bn to the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action.
Beyond its enforcement functions, the outgoing CAC noted that the unit recovered N419m through demand notices issued on false declarations and undervaluations by importers. He said this measure was essential for ensuring compliance with import and export regulations and blocking revenue leakages.
Shuaibu attributed the unit’s successes to the support of its stakeholders, the dedication of its officers, and operational reforms championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi. He encouraged officers and partners to extend the same cooperation to his successor.
“I am confident that the foundation we have built will continue to flourish. Our shared objective remains to sustain prudent stewardship and strengthen the fight against smuggling,” he said. He congratulated the incoming Controller, Gambo Aliyu, and expressed confidence in his ability to build on the existing achievements.
In his acceptance speech, the new Controller, Gambo Aliyu, pledged to intensify intelligence-driven operations, improve professionalism among officers, and strengthen partnerships that enhance border security and promote legal trade. Aliyu, who previously served as the Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command, is widely recognised for his strong performance and collaboration with security agencies.
He thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the NCS management for the opportunity to lead the FOU Zone A. Aliyu also praised his predecessor, describing Shuaibu’s achievements as outstanding and worthy of consolidation.
He outlined priority areas for his administration, including discipline, ethics, accountability, capacity development, and officer welfare. According to him, maintaining high ethical standards will remain non-negotiable, and officers must reflect the core values of the service in their daily operations.
“We will deepen collaboration with sister agencies, community leaders, and the trading public to strengthen border security and facilitate lawful trade,” he said. He assured stakeholders that fairness, justice, and transparency would guide all decisions.
Aliyu also emphasised that the operations of FOU Zone A under his leadership would revolve around management change, compliance management, and reputation management. He encouraged officers and stakeholders to support him, pledging to operate an open-door policy that welcomes contributions from all parties.
As he takes over one of the most sensitive and active enforcement units of the Nigeria Customs Service, expectations are high regarding his ability to reduce smuggling activities across Lagos and surrounding corridors while improving compliance and strengthening Nigeria’s economic integrity.
