Customs FOU ‘A’ Records ₦5.5bn Seizures, Arrests 71 Year Old with ₦2.35bn Cocaine, Launches Operation Hawk
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded sweeping successes in its anti-smuggling operations across the southwestern states, posting seizures with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦5,504,039,720 within an eight week period.
Speaking during a press briefing on May 5, 2026, the Controller of the unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, said the command has intensified enforcement efforts aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s borders, protecting the economy, and combating illicit trade in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Federal Government’s fiscal policy measures. He explained that through a combination of advanced surveillance systems, intelligence sharing frameworks, and interagency collaboration, the unit successfully thwarted 473 smuggling attempts across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states.
Aliyu disclosed that the operations led to the interception of a wide range of contraband goods, including 8,794 bags of 50kg foreign rice equivalent to about 15 trailer loads, 22 used vehicles, and 1,863 used refrigerator compressors considered hazardous to the environment. Other seizures comprised 328 bales of used clothing, 1,188 jerrycans of vegetable oil measured at 25 litres each, and 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, alongside 485 used tyres and 69 cartons of spaghetti. The unit also confiscated 24 bags of 50kg foreign sugar with an additional five cartons of St. Louis sugar, as well as 531 cartons of foreign poultry products and four cylinders of mercury weighing 80 kilograms each.
Comptroller Aliyu, announced the launch of “Operation Hawk,” a targeted initiative designed to dismantle drug trafficking networks and cut off illicit supply chains. Under this operation, officers seized 3,340 parcels of synthetic cannabis indica weighing a total of 1,540 kilograms, describing the development as a significant disruption to organized drug syndicates operating within the zone. He noted that intelligence trends indicate traffickers are adopting increasingly sophisticated methods, making enhanced collaboration among security agencies more critical than ever.
Aliyu revealed that officers acting on credible intelligence intercepted a green Toyota Highlander at Elijah Bus Stop along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, driven by a 71-year-old suspect, Mr. Oni Iridia Martins. A search of the vehicle uncovered six parcels of cocaine, comprising two parcels of powdered cocaine weighing 2.3 kilograms and four parcels of crack cocaine weighing 4.05 kilograms, bringing the total to 6.35 kilograms with an estimated street value of ₦2.35 billion. He stated that the cocaine, alongside the previously seized cannabis, would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
He also drew attention to the interception of four metal cylinders containing high grade mercury concealed in the false bottom of a Toyota Avensis at the Baji Outpost along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor. He emphasised that mercury, often used in illegal gold mining, poses serious environmental risks and is regulated under international conventions. A suspect connected to the seizure has been arrested and granted administrative bail pending further investigation, with plans to transfer the case to the appropriate authorities.
Comptroller Aliyu , highlighted the unit’s achievements in revenue recovery, noting that a total of ₦97,733,596.55 was realized between February 3 and April 28, 2026, through strict enforcement of compliance measures, including the interception of under declared consignments and issuance of demand notices in collaboration with post-clearance audit units. He described the figure as evidence of the unit’s dual commitment to enforcement and revenue generation.
He further revealed that the command is undergoing a significant technological transformation, integrating geospatial intelligence, satellite imagery, drone surveillance, real-time vehicle tracking, and predictive analytics into its operations. According to him, these tools are being deployed to monitor smuggling hotspots, map contraband movement patterns, and enable proactive, intelligence-driven enforcement across the region, while also enhancing transparency and operational efficiency.
He also announced plans for a phased relocation to a newly commissioned ultramodern headquarters in Ogun State, inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He described the move as a strategic milestone that will strengthen interagency collaboration, boost morale among officers, and enhance real-time monitoring of smuggling routes across the southwest.
Reaffirming the unit’s commitment to national security, Aliyu commended the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for driving modernisation within the service, while also appreciating stakeholders and the media for their continued support. He stressed that the Federal Operations Unit Zone A will remain relentless in its efforts to dismantle smuggling networks, protect the nation’s economy, and ensure a secure and efficient trade environment.
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