INTERVIEW: How We Made ₦6B Seizures From Smugglers Using Technology Backed Enforcement – Aliyu
Comptroller Gambo Iyere Aliyu , Controller of Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, sat with Ismail Aniemu for an exclusive interview on the activities of his unit in the first quarter of 2026.
According to Aliyu, the unit which covers the South West geopolitical zone as it’s area of responsibility, has made seizures in excess of ₦6b since he assumed office in Lagos. He added that the NCS is deploying technology through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and global positioning system to stay ahead of smugglers
Excepts
Your impacts within a short time as Controller FOU A, show huge results. What did you do differently?
We have relied essentially on the directives of the CGC, who has enunciated a zero tolerance stance on smuggling, his insistence on inter-agency collaboration and coordination and the reliance on a motivated, resilient workforce, has elicited the result we have recorded.
What you have seen is a tip of the iceberg. We are determined to do more because we are trying to be steps ahead of smugglers. If they keep doing their illegalities, then they will have to suffer losses by way of seizures, and lose their freedom when the long arms of the law catch up with them. We will keep chasing them ensuring they have no hiding place, wherever they hide, we won’t allow them enjoy sleep. Our round the clock patrols are reinvigorated for maximum results and the outcomes of our efforts are obvious
Give us an overview of anti smuggling operations in the South West for 2026 first quarter
The outlook in Q1 2026 in the South West was a deliberate resolve to disrupt the supply chain of drugs proliferation, which in our view was predominated by smuggling of Cannabis Indica, also street named, Ghanaian Loud, which has become pervasive along the South-Western corridor. Other initiatives embarked upon by the Unit are seizures which have direct bearing on the environment, that is Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) like refrigerator compressors.
Also the interdiction of Smuggled vehicles are on the rise as the Unit continues to seize smuggled vehicles that have evaded the prying eyes of our operatives on the border corridors. Seizures in relation to food security initiative of the FGN were also prioritized in Q1 2026 like rice, vegetable oil and more.
Your seizures cut across items that attract other agencies like NAFDAC, NDLEA and others. Tell us about inter agency collaboration on your watch
Inter agency collaboration remain central to our operation at the Unit. We have a robust relationship with all our strategic stakeholders, this is with a view to up-scaling our effort to secure the border corridors.
There has been zero complaint about FOU obstructing legitimate trade, how did you get your officers to key into this agenda?
The zero complaint stance is reflective of compliance management which was one of the pillars on which our stewardship at FOU A is underpinned. Others are reputation management and change management. We have been doing a lot in this regard. The Unit leaning on the instructions from HQ, has undertaken a robust reputational management course for the officers and men of the Unit. As we speak, we are organizing a situational awareness program for the officers to build capacity at their areas of responsibility.
That our officers are not obstructing legitimate trade is a fallout of the many in-house human capital overhaul initiated and supervised by the CGC. We don’t just preach the gospel of compliance to stakeholders, we ourselves are compliance personified
Anti smuggling is not a tea party, smugglers do fight back. We are aware one of your officers paid the supreme price for which you visited and empathize with his family. How are you achieving casualty free operations with massive seizures?
It’s unfortunate we lost an officer on the line of duty. That is one harsh example of the hazard we face on this job. We give in our all to protect our national economy and prevent saboteurs from undermining government’s import and export guidelines
We are up-scaling capacity building on situational awareness as earlier mentioned. Like we have reiterated at various fora, smuggling is hydra headed – a monster that rears its ugly head when you least expect.
Despite the loss, we are not resting on our oars. The job must be done and as committed officers following the selfless footprints of our CGC, we keep marching forward
Tell us about your relationship with border communities and port users and how you get their support against smuggling
Our relationship with the border communities and port users have been more of stakeholder engagement. Community stakeholder engagement has proven to be the best approach to dissemination and grass-root penetration of government policy and program, which evolve with every change in government fiscal policy.
As a critical layer of double checking, were there instances of recovering under payment in first quarter 2026 and how much was involved.
Revenue recovery is a continous process, the Unit has been able to uncover infractions that have yielded additional revenue to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).
What is total duty paid value of seizures made since you assumption of office to the end of first quarter 2026?
In the excess of Six Billion Naira (N6bn), probably more.
Tell us how the newly commissioned FOU Zone A headquarters in Ogun State will impact on your operations? What differences should we expect?
The newly commissioned FOU A Headquarters, will most definitely impact positively on our operations as it provides the requisite business like environment required to drive the process of Anti-smuggling. for us at FOU A, it reflects a new lease of life as this is the first of its kind in the annals of the NCS, where a premises is built, fit for purpose, to carryout the onerous task of securing the corridor against unwholesome trade practices. For the officers and men, it reflect a major morale booster and this cannot be quantified in realistic terms.
What do you consider to be your greatest challenge on this task?
The need to deploy the requisite tools and techniques to police and expansive landmass spanning over 76,852 sq km and a 853sq km coastline. Tools such as GPS enabled UAVs, Geo-spatial technology, satellite image would definitely be helpful. The service high command is addressing all of these and with the strong determination and resolve of our indefatigable CGC, all of these are on the front burner.
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