In a crackdown spanning six weeks across several South West states, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced a major seizure haul. The operation, led by Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, uncovered a diverse mix of contraband and luxury items with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1,188,830,600.00.

The Seizure Details

• Fifteen Tokunbo Vehicles: A high-profile cache of imported, previously owned vehicles intercepted at various points within the command’s jurisdiction.
• Rice Imports: 5,015 bags of 50kg foreign rice, equivalent to eight trailer loads, were seized. This aligns with ongoing enforcement of the 2016 policy restricting foreign parboiled rice imports through land borders.
• Controlled Substances and Pharmaceuticals:
  • 640 parcels of Cannabis Sativa
  • 390 bottles of Codeine
  • 310 foreign-branded drugs
  • 19 cards of Tramadol
• Other Items:
  • 460 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totalling about 11,500 litres
  • 143 bales of used clothing
  • 2 jumbo sacks of used shoes
  • 1 sack of used clothing
  • 210 used tyres
  • 1 x 20-foot container (ONEU 2419369 FTC) containing 752 cartons of Calcium Lactate, intercepted for false declaration

Comptroller Shuaibu emphasised that these seizures occurred between late August and early October 2025 across Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Lagos states. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the operation and will be handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

Inter-Agency Collaboration

In a bid to ensure effective handling and processing of the seized items, the FOU A team noted:

• Cannabis Sativa and pharmaceuticals would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), respectively.
• The enforcement demonstrates ongoing collaboration with other agencies to safeguard public health and national security.

Policy Context and Implications

• The interception underscores the continued enforcement of Nigeria’s fiscal policy that bans the importation of foreign parboiled rice through land borders. Those who attempt to bypass border controls face significant enforcement action and penalties.
• The seizure ratio and diversity signal a comprehensive approach to curbing economic saboteurs who threaten national security and undermine government policies while also balancing the facilitation of legitimate trade where appropriate.

From Seizure to Compliance

Beyond the immediate enforcement actions, the unit reports ongoing efforts to maintain balance between security and legitimate trade. In the period from September 1 to October 7, 2025, the unit recovered ₦39,269,688.71 through demand notices and enforcement against undervaluations. This highlights a broader push to ensure accurate declarations and fair duties.

What This Means for Stakeholders

• For importers: This serves as a reminder to ensure full compliance with import restrictions, proper declaration, and adherence to national policies. Non-compliant shipments are at high risk of interception and penalties.
• For policymakers and the public: The seizures reinforce the government’s commitment to trade integrity, public health, and national security—while not impeding legitimate commerce.
• For the general audience: The items seized paint a picture of the varied challenges at borders—from luxury vehicles to potentially dangerous substances—requiring an ongoing, coordinated enforcement response.

Quick Takeaways

• Total DPV of the seizure: ₦1,188,830,600.00
• Lead agency: Nigeria Customs Service, FOU A Zone A (Ikeja, Lagos)
• Timeframe: Over six weeks preceding the October 2025 report
• Key collaborators: NDLEA and NAFDAC for related items
• Policy context: Enforcement of the 2016 rice import policy via land borders