Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Under the leadership of Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made significant strides in curbing smuggling activities in Northern Nigeria. In just four months since assuming his role as Area Controller, Comptroller Shuaibu has implemented strategic measures that have dealt a severe blow to economic saboteurs in the region.
Through a combination of competent officer deployment and proactive tactics, Comptroller Shuaibu has disrupted illegal enterprises and enhanced trade facilitation, leading to increased revenue generation and improved operational efficiency within the Unit. His leadership aligns with the mission of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, focusing on consolidation, collaboration, and innovation.
The results of Comptroller Shuaibu’s efforts are evident in the substantial seizures made by his team. In the past four months, the Unit has intercepted a wide range of contraband, including vehicles, rice, and pangolin scales, with a total value exceeding N3.1 billion. Notable seizures include 750 sacks of donkey bones and meat, 58,740 sachets of tramadol, and 48,000 ampules of Analgin injection, all of which were intended for illegal distribution.
Additional seizures under his watch include 12 vehicles used for smuggling, 174 bags of foreign rice, 234 jerry cans of petrol, 109 bales of second-hand clothing, and various other prohibited items. The total value of these goods further highlights the scale of the smuggling operations that have been thwarted.
Comptroller Shuaibu’s crackdown on smuggling has earned him the reputation of being a “Smugglers’ Nightmare” in the region. His success in intercepting these illegal goods has forced many perpetrators to flee, significantly reducing the prevalence of smuggling activities in the Northern region.
In a statement, Comptroller Shuaibu emphasized the importance of compliance with legal trade practices, urging smugglers to abandon their illegal activities. He highlighted the detrimental impact of smuggling on Nigeria’s economy, noting that it hampers local industries, discourages lawful imports, and diminishes revenue collection from duties and levies.
“Smuggling has really affected the economy of Nigeria in several ways. It hinders the local industry, discourages legal imports, and reduces the volume of revenues collected from duties and levies by the states.
“This Unit will continue to enforce the Federal Government’s policies in line with international best practices, no matter the campaign of calumny against the Service,” said Comptroller Shuaibu.