I extend a warm welcome to you all as we gather here today once
again to provide insight into our ongoing efforts in the fight against
economic saboteurs across the South-Western states of Nigeria. The
Federal Operations Unit Zone A remains firm and focused on
safeguarding our nation’s borders, protecting the economy, and
coTmbating all forms of illicit activities.
Under my humble leadership, the Unit intensified decisive
measures against smugglers who would stop at nothing to undermine
the enforcement of the Federal government fiscal policy measures and
the provisions of the NCS Act 2023.The unit leveraging on advanced
surveillance, intelligence sharing frameworks, and inter-agency
collaboration thwarted 473 smuggling attempts within eight weeks (8)
of our operations resulting in seizures of the following items ; They
include
a) Rice- 8,794 bags of 50kg each equivalent to 15 trailer loads.
b) Used Tokunbo vehicles- 22 units.
c) 1,863 pieces of used refrigerator compressors.
d) Used Clothing- 328 bales.
e) Vegetable Oil 1188 kegs of 25 litres each.
f) PMS- 31, 705 litres.
g) 485 pieces used tyres
h) 69 cartons of foreign Bonita spaghetti
i) 24 bags 50kg each of foreign sugar and Five Cartons of ST
Louis.
j) 531 cartons of foreign poultry products.
In the same vein, the unit reinforced its anti-smuggling strategies
to continuously cut supply chain networks in drug trafficking with the
launch of an operation code named “OPERATION HAWK” This is
aimed at curbing illicit goods trafficking, safeguarding revenue and
protecting our society and environment from incidences of crime,
criminalities and pervasive societal vices that threaten national
stability. Against this backdrop, the unit successfully took out 3,340
parcels of synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’,
weighing 1540kg from the society. This effort is an affirmation of our
commitment in the fight against drugs smuggling syndicates in the
Zone. Our analysis of the trend in recent times, indicate that the
traffickers are devising different methods to perpetuate illicit trade,
therefore, there is the need for critical security stakeholders to upscale
their intelligence sharing mechanism to cut the supply chain
completely. In addition to leveraging modern technologies for
intelligence gathering, I have also constituted and effectively
coordinated a specialised team responsible for integrating Human
Intelligence (HUMINT) and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
operations, which is already yielding positive and measurable results.
In a separate operation, officers and men of the Gbaji outpost
acting on credible intelligence at about 0645hrs of Thursday 30th April
2026, intercepted a green coloured Toyota Highlander driven by one
Mr. Oni Iredia Martins, a 71year old male Nigerian citizen suspected
to convey a Narcotics substance. Further examination of the vehicle
revealed 6 parcels of cocaine substance, with 2 parcels of the powdered
substance Cocaine weighing 2.3kg, and 4 parcels of the Methamphetamine weighing 4.1kg of crack cocaine, all totalling 6.4kg of the
illicit substance. The consignment was intercepted at Elijah Bus stop
along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, and has a street value of
approximately N2.35b. The numerous seizures occurred across borders
in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states. Several defendants were
arrested in connection with these operations.
In a clear demonstration of inter-agency collaboration, the seized
1,540kg of synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’,
totalling 3,340 Compressed packages, together with the 6.4kg of
Cocaine and Methamphetamine will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution in courts
of competent jurisdictions. These seizures underscore the operational
prowess and strategic effectiveness of our operatives. They also
reinforce our unwavering dedication to disrupt smuggling networks
and confront economic saboteurs whose actions threaten national
security and undermine the fiscal policies of the federal government
headlong.
In a similar development, vigilant officers on duty, seized Four
(4) Cylinders of a Chemical confirmed to be high grade MERCURY,
the item is illegally used in small scale mining of GOLD. The item is
a DUAL-PURPOSE Chemical that poses significant environmental
hazards and is controlled by the MINAMATA CONVENTION ON
MERCURY. The items were concealed in the false bottom segment in
the trunk of a TOYOTA AVENSIS, at the Gbaji Outpost, along the
Lagos-Abidjan corridor. The arrest was effected together with a male
suspect who has been granted Administrative bail, as investigation
reached an advanced stage. The items and the suspect would be handed
over to NESREA in furtherance of our agency function as directed by
Headquarters.
In addition to the numerous physical seizures and arrests made,
the Unit also achieved remarkable success in revenue recovery through
sustained enforcement of compliance measures and anti-smuggling
operations. A Duty Paid Value (DPV) of (₦5,504,039,720.00) Five
billion, Five Hundred and Four Million, Thirty-Nine Thousand,
Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira only was recorded during the
period under review. This impressive figure is a clear testimony to the
scale, intensity, and strategic effectiveness of our operations across
Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo States. It underscores the Unit’s
unwavering commitment to the recovery of unpaid duties, interception
of under-declared consignments, and strict enforcement of the Federal
Government’s fiscal policies. The (₦5,504,039,720.00) Five billion,
Five Hundred and Four Million, Thirty-Nine Thousand, Seven
Hundred and Twenty Naira only DPV further demonstrates the
significant contribution of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ to
national revenue mobilization efforts, while simultaneously dealing a
heavy blow to economic saboteurs and smugglers who attempt to
undermine the nation’s economic interests. This achievement
reinforces our resolve to maintain a high level of operational efficiency
and fiscal responsibility in line with the vision of the Comptroller-
General of Customs.
Aside enforcement operations, the Federal Operations Unit Zone
‘A’ (FOU), also plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with import
and export regulations. Strengthening the integrity of the declarations
on the trade value chain remains a priority. In line with the ONE STOP
initiative of the Service, the unit continues to scrutinize questionable
declarations, interdict unpaid duty and issue Demand Notices (DN) in
concert with the Post Clearance Audit, where necessary. Consequently,
between 3rd February and 28th April 2026, a total of Ninety-Seven
Million, Seven Hundred and Three Thousand, Five Hundred and
Ninety-Six Naira and Fifty-Five Kobo (N97,703,596.55) only was
recovered.
In alignment with the vision of the Comptroller-General of
Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for a modern, technology-
driven Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’
is aggressively advancing the digitization of its operations. We are
integrating cutting-edge technologies, particularly geospatial
intelligence, to curb unwholesome practices including smuggling,
under-declaration, duty evasion, and illicit trafficking. This includes the
deployment of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite
imagery, drone surveillance, real-time vehicle tracking, and predictive
analytics to map high-risk border corridors, monitor smuggling
hotspots in real time across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states, and
enable proactive, intelligence-led operations.
Geospatial tools allow us to overlay seizure data, movement
patterns of contraband such as rice, used vehicles, and narcotics, and
intelligence reports on digital maps. This facilitates better resource
allocation, rapid response, and disruption of supply chains before they
reach our highways. The recent commissioning of our new state-of-the-
art Command Headquarters at Iperu in Ogun State provides the perfect
infrastructure backbone for this modernization drive. The facility will
host an advanced Command and Control Centre equipped for
geospatial monitoring, data analytics, and seamless inter-agency
collaboration with NDLEA, Police, and other security and intelligence
organisations.
This technological transformation aligns fully with the CGC’s
vision of modernizing the NCS to meet global standards, enhance
operational efficiency, improve revenue collection, and deliver faster
trade facilitation while maintaining robust border security. By
embracing these tools, we are not only strengthening enforcement but
also creating a more transparent, accountable, and responsive Customs
administration that supports legitimate trade in line with the WCO
SAFE FRAMEWORK OF STANDARDS.
While we maintain vigilance against smuggling, fraud and
criminalities, the FOU remains a strong partner in trade facilitation. We
continue to support legitimate trade through intelligence-driven
operations that strike a balance between security enforcement and
economic growth, ensuring that lawful traders are not unduly hindered
in the process. This is representative of the WCO SAFE
FRAMEWORK OF STANDARDS. This is evident as we no longer
hear or receive complains of unnecessary hindrance of cargo
movements by our stakeholders who are doing legitimate businesses
along the major highways in the Zone.
Before I conclude this briefing, permit me to use this opportunity
to inform you all that we shall commence a phased movement to our
newly commissioned ultra-modern Command Headquarters at Iperu in
Ogun State very soon. The Iperu Headquarters, personally
commissioned by His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-
Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed
Tinubu GCFR is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure. This
strategic relocation is not merely a change of physical address but a
transformative step in the CGC’s vision for a fully modernized and
efficient Nigeria Customs Service. The phased approach will ensure
minimal disruption to our operations while allowing officers and men
to gradually settle into the new facility. This move will significantly
boost morale, enhance inter-agency collaboration, strengthen real-time
monitoring of smuggling routes across the South-West, and position the
Unit to deliver even greater results in revenue generation, trade
facilitation, and border security. We are confident that the relocation
will mark a new era of operational excellence for the Federal
Operations Unit Zone ‘A’.
In conclusion, let me express our gratitude to the indefatigable
Comptroller General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for their continued
guidance and for providing us with the required direction which we are
thriving on. I commend the tireless efforts of our operatives and
reaffirm our commitment to securing our nation’s borders against all
forms of economic sabotage. We will not relent in our mission to
uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment and protect our
economy from illicit trade practices. I also deeply appreciate our
esteem stakeholders and media partners for their support and modest
reportage of our efforts.
