Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intensified its offensive against smugglers and economic saboteurs across the South-West region, intercepting contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over ₦5.5 billion within just eight weeks of sustained enforcement operations.
Speaking during a press briefing held Tuesday in Ikeja, the Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, disclosed that the Unit recorded 473 interceptions between February 3 and April 28, 2026, attributing the feat to enhanced intelligence gathering, advanced surveillance technology, and strategic inter-agency collaboration.
According to him, the seizures underscore the Unit’s unwavering resolve to dismantle smuggling networks and protect the nation’s economy from illicit trade.
Among the major seizures recorded during the period were 8,794 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to 15 trailer loads, as well as 3,340 parcels of Cannabis Indica popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud,” weighing 1,540 kilograms.
The Unit also intercepted 6.4 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine with an estimated street value of ₦2.35 billion. The hard drugs were discovered in a Toyota Highlander intercepted at Elijah Bus Stop along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
Other seizures included 22 used vehicles, 1,188 kegs of vegetable oil, 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 328 bales of used clothing, 485 used tyres, 1,863 used refrigerator compressors, 531 cartons of frozen poultry products, 69 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 24 bags of foreign sugar.
In another significant operation, officers intercepted four cylinders of high-grade mercury concealed inside a Toyota Avensis at the Gbaji Outstation.
Comptroller Aliyu explained that mercury is a controlled substance under the Minamata Convention and is illegally deployed in artisanal gold mining activities. He noted that the suspect has been granted administrative bail pending transfer to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further investigation and prosecution.
Providing details of the narcotics interception, Aliyu revealed that operatives, acting on credible intelligence, stopped a green Toyota Highlander driven by a 71-year-old suspect, Mr. Oni Iridia Martins, at Elijah Bus Stop along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
“A thorough examination of the vehicle led to the discovery of six parcels of illicit drugs comprising two parcels of cocaine weighing 2.3kg and four parcels of methamphetamine weighing 4.1kg, bringing the total weight to 6.4kg,” he said.
He added that the narcotics consignment has an estimated street value of ₦2.35 billion.
The Comptroller further disclosed that the anti-drug interceptions formed part of a special enforcement initiative code-named Operation Hawk, targeted at dismantling illicit drug supply chains operating within the South-West corridor.
According to him, the seized 1,540kg of Cannabis Indica alongside the cocaine and methamphetamine consignments will be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
Beyond seizures, Comptroller Aliyu stated that the Unit also recovered an additional ₦97.7 million through post-clearance audits and demand notices issued over under-declared consignments.
He noted that the Unit is currently advancing its digitisation and surveillance architecture through the deployment of geospatial intelligence systems, drones, satellite imagery, and real-time vehicle tracking technologies to monitor high-risk smuggling routes across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo States.
Aliyu added that the newly commissioned ultra-modern Command Headquarters in Iperu, Ogun State, inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will serve as the operational hub for the Unit’s command-and-control activities.
“We will continue to facilitate legitimate trade while maintaining a strategic balance between economic growth and national security enforcement,” the Comptroller stated.
He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Customs management team for their continuous support, leadership, and operational guidance.
“I commend the resilience, dedication, and professionalism of our officers and men who continue to work tirelessly to safeguard the nation’s borders against economic sabotage and transnational crimes,” he said.
“We remain resolute in our commitment to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment and combating all forms of illicit trade practices.”
Aliyu also appreciated stakeholders and members of the media for their sustained cooperation and objective reportage of the Unit’s operations.