The Customs Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, said it intercepted contraband goods worth N1.5 billion and arrested four suspects within a three-week operation.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Muhammed Shuaibu stated this during a briefing in Lagos on Friday, while handing over seizures to NDLEA and NAFDAC officials.
He said the unit intercepted seven 20-foot containers of illicit items in Lagos, following preliminary investigations that revealed containers containing used tyres and vehicles, foreign parboiled rice, new shoes, new clothes, and new bags.
Mr Shuaibu listed other seizures to include 4,085 bags of 50kg foreign rice — equivalent to seven trailer loads — and 15 foreign-used vehicles, 82 packs of Tramadol with 10 sachets each, and 246 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, 290 jerry cans of petrol and 12 bales with four sacks of used clothing, all totalling N1.5 billion in value.
Mr Shuaibu, who assumed duty on April 23, confirmed the seizures with a Duty Paid Value of N1.5 billion were made between April 23 and May 16.
On revenue, he said the command generated N20.7 million through demand notices, auctioned perishables, and petroleum products from irregular importation, adding that he had shifted the unit’s approach to intelligence-driven operations, reducing delays caused by traditional stop-and-search methods.
Mr Shuaibu said the Nigeria Customs Service remains steadfast in combating smuggling, counterfeits, and other illicit trade, stressing that the achievements reflected a commitment to safeguarding the economy and citizens, through continued agency collaboration.
