Customs: ₦8.41b Seizures Recorded in Six Months of Shuaibu’s Anti Smuggling Exploits in Lagos

Mohammed Shuaibu, Controller of Customs in Charge of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, has seized ₦8.41b Contraband in a sustained war against smuggling across six South West States

Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, Controller of Customs in charge of FOU Zone A charged with anti smuggling function,covering the six states of Lagos, Ekiti Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Osun assumed duty with sleeves rolled up for work

Coming from vast operational background having served in the Joint Border Patrol and Customs Strike Force where he left indelible marks, he came ready to do better

On his watch,the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has consolidated its position as the nation’s foremost anti-smuggling formation with the interception of contraband valued at ₦8,411,292,208 between April 23 and October 31 2025.

During the period under review, the unit, recorded 375 separate interceptions and successfully arrested 25 suspects for various economic crimes and border related offences.

Among the major seizures were 18,719 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, a quantity equivalent to 32 trailer loads, which were smuggled through unauthorised routes in an attempt to flood Nigeria’s market with prohibited imports. The unit also intercepted 77 Tokunbo vehicles that were illegally brought into the country.

In narcotics enforcement, officers seized a total of 2,350 kilograms of cannabis sativa alongside 25 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, both valued illicit drugs linked to violent crime and public health dangers. Additionally, 305 bales of second hand clothing smuggled into the country .

The clampdown on the diversion of petroleum products led to the recovery of 1,820 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), indicating ongoing attempts by illegal operators to exploit arbitrage opportunities across border communities.

Shuaibu led the unit to further uncover arms trafficking channels with the discovery of 15 assorted rifles and 4,841 rounds of ammunition, as well as two industrial drones, believed to be targeted for use by criminal networks.

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FOU ‘A’ operatives stopped the illegal movement of 20,000 United States dollars and 110,000 West African CFA francs, funds valued at approximately ₦31 million, which were subsequently handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for necessary action and have since been legally forfeited to the Federal Government.

According to Comptroller Shuaibu, the results achieved reflect the unit’s improved intelligence capacity, strategic resource deployment and enhanced collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) on arms and ammunition seizures sister agencies, which have collectively disrupted smuggling cartels operating within the Zone.

He stressed that the diverse range of seizures from arms and hard drugs to foreign currencies and prohibited imports shows the evolving tactics of criminal syndicates targeting the Nigerian economy.

Comptroller Shuaibu affirmed the Unit’s determination to sustain its operational momentum as the Customs Service continues to strengthen surveillance systems and intensify actions across major trade corridors, ensuring that smugglers and economic saboteurs face the full weight of the law.

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