Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun has transformed the Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit Zone C into a hub of intelligence-led enforcement since taking command in 2025. His strict adherence to rules and operational guidelines has delivered more than ₦5 billion in Duty Paid Value seizures across the South-South and South-East, marking a shift from reactive policing to predictive enforcement.
In June 2026, Balogun announced the seizure of foreign vegetable oil worth ₦403.5 million during a press briefing in Owerri on Monday 15 June. Operatives intercepted one truck at 10pm on 9 May along the 9th Mile axis in Enugu State, and another on 7 June along the Onitsha–Agbor Highway. The haul included 3,310 jerrycans of 25-litre Super Delicious vegetable oil, 10 jerrycans of 10-litre Super Delicious, 20 cartons of 5-litre sunflower oil, and 20 cartons of 3-litre sunflower oil. Balogun called it a major blow to economic saboteurs whose illegal importation undermines local industry, technology transfer, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings. The operation enforces the NCS Act 2023 and the Federal Government’s ban on foreign vegetable oil imports.
March 2026 marked Zone C’s largest single seizure of illicit pharmaceuticals. In predawn hours on 15 March, surveillance on the Okada/Ofosu Expressway led to the discovery of 1,002,000 Tramadol tablets and 10,000 bottles of Barcadin Codeine syrup hidden under legitimate goods after the driver fled. The truck had been tracked for 72 hours. Balogun said this demonstrates what strategic intelligence looks like, noting that they are no longer waiting for smugglers but going to them. The Duty Paid Value reached ₦1.056 billion.
November 2025 saw Zone C operatives intercept 151 wraps of Cannabis Sativa weighing 77,500g and 15 wraps of Canada Loud weighing 8,600g on 14 November. The narcotics were handed over to relevant government agencies following inter-agency protocols, reinforcing Balogun’s commitment to collaborative enforcement against drug trafficking networks.
April 2025 delivered perhaps the most significant disruption. On 28 April, the Unit seized 3,022 pieces of dry salted donkey skin with a Duty Payment Value of ₦3.6 billion, disrupting a major wildlife trafficking network. The operation highlighted Zone C’s expanded mandate beyond revenue collection, covering economic sabotage and illegal wildlife trade.
Enlisted on 24 September 1991, Balogun’s career spans MMIA, the Comptroller General’s Strike Force Zone A, and Seme Border as DC Revenue. Colleagues describe him as calm on the surface but relentless on the job. Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi posted him to Zone C on merit.
Zone C covers 11 states including Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo. Under Balogun, the unit now runs real-time intelligence, risk profiling, and NDLEA-DSS coordination instead of relying on static checkpoints.
Balogun attributes the Unit’s success to the dedication of his officers and men, whose vigilance and sacrifice drive results on the field. He commends sister agencies including NDLEA, DSS, Police and others for seamless collaboration that has tightened the enforcement net across the zone.
He expressed profound appreciation to Nigeria Customs Service management under Comptroller General Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, describing him as highly cerebral and purposeful, for the support, strategic direction, and trust reposed in him through the posting to FOU Zone C.
The total Duty Paid Value excluding narcotics handed over reaches ₦5.059 billion and above. For smuggling networks operating in the South-South and South-East, the message is consistent: the cost of operating in Zone C has risen, and the probability of getting caught has increased with it.