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Comptroller Gambo Aliyu has taken over leadership of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) with a firm pledge to ramp up intelligence-driven enforcement, signalling a more aggressive push against smuggling networks threatening Nigeria’s economy and internal security.
At the handover ceremony in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, Aliyu expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in him, while saluting his predecessor, Mohammed Shuaibu – recently elevated to Assistant Comptroller General – for delivering what he described as “commendable, high-impact results.”
Those results were significant. In just seven months, Shuaibu’s FOU Zone A recorded 476 interceptions, seizing 761 items with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of more than N10.151 billion. The haul included 23,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 38 trailer loads), 98 used vehicles, 2,350 kg of cannabis, 1,820 jerrycans of PMS, and 15 rifles with 4,841 rounds of ammunition.
The unit also intercepted two industrial drones, 25 kg of crystal methamphetamine, and four 50-kg Russian-made explosive cylinders. Cash valued at N31 million was secured as final forfeiture to the Federal Government.
The unit arrested 38 suspects during the period and transferred eight containers of expired pharmaceuticals worth N7.5 billion to NAFDAC for regulatory action. Beyond seizures, it recovered N419.2 million through demand notices issued for under-declarations and questionable import documentation—significantly tightening compliance within the Lagos trade corridor.
Aliyu acknowledged the weight of responsibility that comes with commanding the service’s most active enforcement unit. He identified three pillars that will drive his leadership: management reform, compliance enhancement, and reputation strengthening.
“Discipline, professionalism and integrity will remain absolutely non-negotiable,” he said. “Every officer must reflect the values of the service. Our operations will be firm, fair and intelligence-led.”
The new Comptroller committed to deepening collaboration with sister security agencies, community leaders, and the trading public – insisting that multi-stakeholder cooperation is essential to protecting Nigeria’s borders while facilitating legitimate commerce. He also emphasized officers’ training, motivation, and welfare as key to sustaining high operational performance.
Aliyu adopted an open-door policy and urged officers, traders, and enforcement partners to join him in strengthening FOU Zone A’s role as the nation’s foremost anti-smuggling shield.
Aliyu’s Proven Track Record
Before his deployment to FOU Zone A, Aliyu served as Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command, where he delivered a 17.5% revenue surge, raising collections to N77.88 billion between January and October 2025.
He also oversaw seizures valued at over N818 million and intensified enforcement against illegal rice imports, unregistered drugs, PMS diversion, and used tyres.
His tenure was further marked by expanded inter-agency collaboration with NSCDC, NIS, NAFDAC and others – efforts credited with tightening border security and disrupting cross-border criminal supply chains.
