The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, has unveiled a renewed intelligence-driven anti-smuggling strategy that has yielded significant operational successes, including major drug seizures, the interception of prohibited goods, and strengthened enforcement outcomes across its area of responsibility.
The Comptroller of the Unit, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, during his maiden press briefing held at the FOU Zone ‘A’ headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos.
Comptroller Aliyu noted that the Command had adopted a results-oriented enforcement strategy anchored on professionalism and respect for the rule of law.
“Upon assumption of duty a few weeks ago, I made a clear commitment that we will confront smuggling syndicates with renewed vigour, professional discipline, and complete respect for the rule of law and human dignity”, the Comptroller said.
He explained that operations are now guided by Change Management, Compliance Management, and Reputational Management, noting that intelligence-led deployment has replaced predictable patrol patterns to achieve improved results.
According to the him, the new strategy resulted in the interception of 144 smuggling attempts, involving various prohibited and uncustomed goods. These include 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 77 bags of foreign sugar, 21 units of used vehicles, 3,362 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), 915 bales of used clothing, 581 used refrigerator compressors which constitute hazardous waste under Nigerian law and international conventions, and a 20-foot container of stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets.
In a major breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that officers of the Unit intercepted 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud”, weighing 1,431 kilograms, significantly disrupting drug supply chains within the Command’s operational corridor.
He warned that drug trafficking fuels banditry, terrorism, and other societal vices, urging perpetrators to desist or face the full consequences of the law.
“Drug trafficking fuels threats by providing chemical catalysts such as methamphetamine and others that embolden perpetrators, erode morale and destabilise the nation. I urge perpetrators of this illicit trade to be patriotic enough to change their ways and embrace legitimate trade or face the consequences of their actions, as our determination is resolute”, he warned.
Beyond drug-related seizures, the Comptroller revealed that the Unit intercepted four live pangolins along the Alapa Creek in Ajilete, noting that the endangered species were handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre in line with Nigeria’s commitment to wildlife protection laws.
Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦3,319,893,255.00.
Amid the operational successes, Comptroller Aliyu announced with deep regret the loss of an officer who died in active service on 3 February, 2026, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the risks associated with border enforcement duties.
In line with inter-agency collaboration, the seized cannabis was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution, with the Agency commending Customs for its diligence and assuring that the drugs would be disposed of in accordance with the law.
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