The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has intercepted smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value of N6.19bn and recovered N683.66m in additional revenue within four weeks of intensified enforcement operations.
The Acting Comptroller of the unit, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Tuesday during his maiden press briefing in Ikeja, Lagos, where he disclosed that operatives of the unit thwarted 195 smuggling attempts involving prohibited and restricted goods.
Afeni said the seizures, valued at N6,194,695,947.05, comprised 3,407.83 kilogrammes of cannabis, 400 grammes of cocaine, 100 grammes of methamphetamine, imported rice, frozen poultry products, used clothing, tyres and 21 exotic foreign-used vehicles.
“Other seized items included 6,949 cartons of spaghetti, 1,250 rounds of 12-calibre cartridges, 23,220 pieces of new machetes, 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, codeine syrup and eight live pangolins.
“The unit also intercepted a 40-foot container carrying 2,760 pieces of office chairs in completely knocked-down form, alongside other prohibited imports” he stated.
Highlighting the Units revenue profile, Afeni said the unit generated an additional N683,661,304.05 between September 30 and November 3, 2026.
According to him, the revenue was generated through intensified compliance checks, scrutiny of import declarations and the correction of under-valuations.
He attributed the recovery to enhanced risk profiling, targeted examination of questionable declarations, improved operational coordination and collaboration with relevant government agencies.
He further revealed that the unit has strengthened its enforcement strategy through intelligence-driven operations, improved surveillance and risk-based examination to curb smuggling, protect government revenue and safeguard the nation’s economic interests.
Afeni assured importers, licensed customs agents and other stakeholders that the unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while taking decisive action against duty evasion, false declarations and other fraudulent practices.
He said the operations were also aimed at protecting local industries from unfair competition arising from the smuggling of prohibited goods, particularly imported food products.
The Acting Comptroller expressed concern over the interception of 23,220 new machetes allegedly smuggled into the country without the required certificates and permits, warning that such items could pose security risks ahead of future elections.
He also highlighted the seizure of more than 3.4 tonnes of cannabis, noting that the interception would help disrupt illegal drug supply chains and prevent the circulation of harmful substances.
Afeni said the unit was collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Army, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and other regulatory agencies to strengthen enforcement.
He added that seized narcotics and suspects would be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while other prohibited items would be transferred to relevant agencies in line with their statutory responsibilities.
Afeni reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to revenue protection, trade facilitation and the suppression of smuggling, urging members of the public to support the campaign by reporting suspicious activities.
He said the unit would sustain intelligence-led enforcement and strengthen compliance monitoring to protect the nation’s economy.
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