By Aisha Cole
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has seized 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice and intercepted 1,431 kg of cannabis and other seizures value at N3.3bn.
The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, made the disclosure at a news conference in Lagos on Tuesday.
Aliyu also said that the command also apprehended eight suspects along with the seizure.
He said that a female suspect was apprehended along with the cannabis while the command lost an officer who led the interception on Tuesday Feb. 3.
He noted that the development had been formally communicated to the customs high command.
The comptroller while showcasing a session of 6,954 bags of rice, second hands clothes, described the seizures as the outcome of a strategic operational overhaul anchored on intelligence-led enforcement.
Aliyu said the unit recorded 144 various contraband goods within six weeks resumed operation as the head of the command around late December 2026.
He attributed the success to reorganising patrol patterns, strengthening internal supervision and shifting from predictable checkpoints to targeted deployments across the Lagos metropolis.
“The seizures includes 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 12 trailer loads), 77 bags of foreign sugar, and 21 units of used vehicles.
“It also include 3,362 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 915 bales of used clothing and a 20-foot container loaded with stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets.
“In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, officers intercepted 3,029 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing about 1,431kg, with the Duty Paid Value (DPV) N3.3 billion, describing the operation as a significant disruption of criminal supply networks fueling insecurity in the country.
“These seizures occurred against the backdrop of rising banditry, terrorism and other societal vices threatening national stability.
“Drug trafficking fuels these crimes by providing chemical stimulants that embolden perpetrators and erode social order,” Aliyu said.
The comptroller also announced notable environmental and wildlife-related interceptions, including four live pangolins rescued along Alapa Creek, Ajilete, and handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre.
Similarly, the unit seized 581 used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle, which he said it posed serious environmental and public health risks due to hazardous substances and greenhouse gas emissions.
He explained that the seizure aligned with Section 55(1)(d) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the Basel Convention, both of which regulate trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste.
Aliyu said eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and were under investigation.
Beyond enforcement, Aliyu said the unit recovered N36.89 million between Dec. 10, 2025 and Feb. 2, 2026 through demand notices issued over cargo misdeclaration and other import-export compliance breaches.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to combating smuggling, trans-border crimes and economic sabotage.
Aliyu noted he would not relents effort in enhancing trade facilitation through professionalism, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies and border communities.
Aliyu commended Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for the opportunity to serve, and urged officers of the unit to sustain the momentum in safeguarding Nigeria’s economy, environment and national security.
In line with inter-agency collaboration, Aliyu handed over the Intercepted 1431kg cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
While receiving the intercepted cannabis with the female suspect, the Commander of Narcotic and the Deputy State Commander Operations and Training, Lagos Strategic Command, Ibrahim, Muhammadu-Kabir, commended FOU for the robost synergy.
Muhammadu-Kabir, who felt disappointed receiving a female suspect along with the cannabis, urged Nigeria public to support Government in the fight against illicit substances. (NAN).
