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In a bid to curb arbitrary interception of goods already cleared at seaports, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of checkpoints, opting for an intelligence-driven system.
The Customs Area Controller, FOU Zone A, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, disclosed this on Friday during his maiden press briefing where he showcased seizures worth over N1.5billion.
Comptroller Shuaibu, who took over the leadership of the FOU Zone A on April 23, 2025, noted that the Command currently operates an open-door policy anchored on information sharing and collaboration.
Speaking on checkpoints, he said: “Our goal is to dismantle the checkpoints; but even if we dismantle sometimes we might use them as flashpoints that will function from time to time with intelligence.
“Working with an intel is going to be more successful than keeping officers stationed on the roads. Another issue is that when people know that Customs officers are positioned on one part of the road they will avoid those routes.”
He added that the new intelligence-based strategy is also in sync with Customs transformation from analog systems to paperless systems.
Shuaibu noted that the FOU Zone A has successfully recovered N20,792, 372.99k through the issuance of demand notices from irregular importation and auction sales of seized petroleum products.
“In a significant achievement in our ongoing battle against illicit trade, our team acted on credible intelligence and successfully intercepted and seized 7X20ft containers filled with various illicit items within the Lagos metropolis preliminary investigations revealed used tyres and vehicles, foreign parboiled rice; new shoes, clothes and bags.
“Within this short period of three weeks, this unit has inflicted substantial losses on these non-state actors through the interception of numerous illegal goods. Notable seizures include: 4,085 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) equivalent to seven trailer loads; 15 illegally imported foreign-used vehicles; 82 packs of Tramadol, with 10 sachets per pack; 246 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa; 290 jerry cans of premium motor spirit (PMS); 12 Bales and 4 sacks of used clothing,” the FOU Customs boss said.
He, however, disclosed that 4 suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which have a duty paid value (DPV) of N1,501,312,425.00 only.
As part of inter-agency collaboration, the FOU Customs boss, Shuaibu, handed over the Illicit drugs seizures to the Deputy Controller of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abdul Mayakai and other drugs to the representative of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
