Uche Cecil Izuora
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has made a remarkable seizure of prohibited imported items capable of creating serious security breaches in the country.
The CNS, Federal Operations Unit, (FOU) Zone ‘A’, in a commendable way impounded smuggled bullet proof vests, ballistic helmets, security uniforms and other prohibited goods valued at over N1.28billion.
Controller of the unit, Comptroller Muhammed Shuaibu explained that the seizures were made across various locations in the Southwest region within two weeks with seven suspects arrested.
Shuaibu attributed the success to renewed intelligence-led strategies aimed at combating smuggling and economic sabotage.
Shuaibu explained that on the 23rd and 24th of May 2025, at about 0300hrs and 0230hrs, the unit’s patrol teams within Lagos metropolis acting on intelligence intercepted and seized 2X40FT containers with containers numbers (MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090) respectively along Ijora-Olopa, and mile 2 axis.
According to him, upon examination, the containers were found to contain seven Mitsubishi Canters, five Toyota Hiace Buses, and three Mini Shuttle Buses all cut up with their parts complete with clear intention to evade Customs duties.
Other items discovered in the containers included used bicycles, 312 bales of printed wax, 23 bales of used clothing, 42 used gas cylinders, 30 used flat screens televisions, 65 table top cookers, and 31 unit of used split air conditioning among others. N1.28bn in renewed anti-smuggling crackdown
On May 19, a patrol team intercepted a Volvo truck at 3:00 am loaded with 1,263 used tyres and other contraband.
Later the same day at 11:00 pm, another truck was seized along the Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode expressway in Ogun State for carrying bulletproof vests and packages of Tramadol.
On May 26, through intelligence-led operations, officers intercepted a seemingly empty Mercedes Benz truck. A thorough search uncovered hidden compartments filled with Cannabis Sativa. One suspect was arrested.
Across the six Southwest states, patrol teams also reported multiple seizures of foreign rice, used cars, and Cannabis Sativa from known smuggling flashpoints, including Imeko, Ilaro, Owode, Idiroko, Ilara, Ihumbo, Abeokuta, Badagry, Agbara, Gbaji, Shaki, and Iseyin.
The breakdown of seizures includes:
2,051 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), equal to four trailer loads
11 used (Tokunbo) vehicles
1,665 kg of Cannabis Sativa
4,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
A J5 bus loaded with expired goods
A Volvo truck containing 180 sacks of new towels
Shuaibu highlighted that these operations come just three weeks after he assumed leadership of the unit on April 23, 2025. In that short time, additional seizures exceeding N1.5 billion in duty-paid value have been recorded.
Asserting the NCS’s dual role in border security and trade facilitation, Shuaibu emphasized the service’s resilience against increasingly desperate smuggling tactics.
“We will not be deterred by naysayers or those seeking to undermine our officers who serve this nation with dedication—even at the cost of their lives,” he said.
He added that the seized 1,665kg of Indian hemp would be handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
“The NCS will continue implementing sustainable strategies to protect our economy, increase government revenue, and promote legitimate trade.