The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, on Tuesday signalled a tough new phase in Nigeria’s anti-smuggling war as the Comptroller of the Unit, Mr. Gambo Aliyu, unveiled sweeping operational reforms and major seizures at his maiden press briefing held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja.
Aliyu, who described the engagement as the Unit’s first media interaction of 2026, said the Command had embraced a fresh enforcement philosophy anchored on change management, strict compliance and reputational discipline, stressing that business-as-usual would no longer deliver results.
He disclosed that upon assuming office, the Unit reviewed its operational structure, patrol patterns and internal controls, replacing predictable checkpoints with intelligence-driven deployments, particularly within the Lagos axis, while strengthening supervision and accountability across all teams.
These reforms, according to him, yielded swift results with the interception of 144 smuggling attempts involving contraband items ranging from 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice to used vehicles, vegetable oil, petrol, used clothing and a container load of stone-coated roofing sheets.
In a major blow to organised crime, the Comptroller revealed that operatives also intercepted 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud,” weighing about 1,431 kilogrammes, a move he said significantly disrupted drug supply networks fueling insecurity and social vices.
Aliyu noted that the operations were carried out amid rising national security challenges, adding that the Unit had suffered the painful loss of a promising officer in the line of duty, a development already reported to the Service Headquarters.
Beyond drugs, the Command also recorded a landmark wildlife protection success with the seizure of four live pangolins along the Alapa Creek, Ajilete waterways, which were subsequently handed over to conservation authorities, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to protecting endangered species.
The Unit further intercepted 581 used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle, an action Aliyu described as critical to environmental protection, citing Nigeria’s obligations under the Basel Convention and provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
He disclosed that eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, which had a cumulative duty paid value of over ₦3.3 billion, underscoring the economic impact of the Command’s intensified enforcement drive.
In line with inter-agency cooperation, the seized cannabis consignments are to be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution, while the public was urged to report suspicious activities through confidential channels.
Aliyu concluded by reaffirming the Nigeria Customs Service’s resolve to combat smuggling, enforce fiscal policies and facilitate legitimate trade, expressing gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs and the media, while charging officers of the Unit to sustain the momentum in safeguarding the nation’s economy and security.