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Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other contraband items worth N1,784,432,000, designated as importation as well as illegal export to the Niger Republic.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR made the announcement through the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Kehinde Ejibunu at a press briefing held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos on Friday.
He disclosed that the significant seizures were intercepted across the Southwest States by the tactical team of Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone A and Operation Whirlwind of the Service.
According to him, in the last six weeks, operatives of FOU and Operation Wildwind made significant strides in countering the smuggling of petroleum products and illicit items designated for importation and illegal export to the Niger Republic.
“Operatives acting on credible intelligence and in line with renewed mandate successfully intercepted a total of 1,134 jerry cans of 25 litres and 33 drops of petroleum auto-spirits, yielding a volume of 35,535 litres at various notorious smuggling flashpoints within Ilaro, Ere Adodo, and Obadai Neko.
“These petroleum products carefully concealed and being prepared for illegal export to the neighbouring Niger Republic were intercepted with six vehicles being used as means of conveyance.
“A total duty paid value of the intercepted petroleum products and conveying vehicles is to the tune of N58,360,000. These arrests and seizures underscore the strategic efficiency and operational dexterity of our anti-smuggling units,” he said.
Meanwhile, the anti-smuggling operations of the FOU Zone A Ikeja led the Customs to intercept a total sum of 3,500 bags of foreign parboiled rice, (50kg each) equivalent to 6 trailer loads even as he remarked that the Unit has sustained a high operational tempo across the southwestern states.
“Intelligence-led operations has led to proactive interception of smuggled goods, disrupt illicit supply chains, and strengthen border enforcement. During this period, a total of 102 enforcement interventions were recorded, leading to the interception of a wide range of prohibited and smuggled goods.
“304kg of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp); 7,900 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) – in 316 jerry cans of 25 liters each; 54 bags and 20 bales of used clothing; 41 sacks and bags of used footwear; 14 units of used (“Tokunbo”) vehicles; 148 pieces of used tyres; 42 used gas cylinders; 31 units of air conditioning systems; 95 cartons of frozen poultry products were also seized.”
Other items include: 1X40FT container with container number TRHU 83907321 fully loaded with used tyres, 1X20FT with container number ONEU241369 containing medicaments. Others are 2X40FT with container numbers MSKU 4796036, MAEU 9205708, and one truck with container body conveying used fridges, foreign supermarket items and used clothes.
He, however, observed that all the containers were wrongly declared to invade duties, adding that 9 suspects have been arrested in connection with these seizures and internal mechanisms have been instituted to penalise erring Customs officers involved in the release of such containers from the ports.
“While some were granted administrative bail, others have been, or will be, handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution”.
Also speaking the Customs Area Controller of the FOU Zone A Ikeja, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu reiterated that the Unit remains deeply committed to executing its mandate with the utmost professionalism and in strict adherence to extant regulations.
“Operations are conducted with restraint, respect for human rights, and a commitment to peaceful enforcement. To enhance synergy and support for our activities, I have embarked on familiarization visits to traditional institutions and sister security agencies across the zone.
“These visits aim to deepen collaboration in our collective effort to combat trans-border crimes and enhance national security. Our achievements mentioned by the CGC would not be possible without the dedication and courage of our gallant officers, who risk their lives daily to secure our borders and protect the national economy.
“I will like to notify you that we had revenue recovery through Demand Notices. In addition to our enforcement duties, the Unit also ensures compliance with import and export regulations. We have continued to scrutinize questionable declarations, correct under-valuations, and issue Demand Notices (DNs) where appropriate. Between June 3rd and July 18th, 2025, the Unit recovered a total of N95,587,231.47 in underpaid duties,” he said.
