14 days of tactical operations : Customs FOU Zone ‘A’ seizes bullet-proof vests, exotic cars, contraband worth N1.3bn

14 days of tactical operations : Customs FOU Zone ‘A’ seizes bullet-proof vests, exotic cars, contraband worth N1.3bn
…As Comptroller Shuaibu arrests 7 suspects

In what can be described as tactical operations, the Customs Area Controller, Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu and his enforcement officers have defeated smugglers and their nefarious activities in their area of responsibility, as they intercepted bullet-proof vests, exotic vehicles, and other prohibited items worth N1,285, 600,383.00 (approximately N1.3billion) in monetary value.

Through intelligence, the team swiftly arrested seven suspects in connection with the seizures.

Impressively, the coordinated operations, which paved the way for these anti-smuggling feats recorded by Customs FOU Zone ‘A’, were carried out in a period of just 14 days.

Recall that this record-breaking performance in anti-smuggling drive by Comptroller Shuaibu, is coming just few days after he recorded massive seizures worth over N1.5 billion within 21 days in office. For Mohammed Shuaibu and his gallant officers, it has been five weeks of sustained anti-smuggling onslaught on economic saboteurs working against government’s effort in growing the economy.

In a chat with reporters during press conference, held yesterday, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Customs FOU Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Shuaibu said their operations for the period under review were intelligence-driven and highly strategic.

Mohammed Shuaibu known for his doggedness in enforcement duties stressed : “It is pertinent to state that our renewed vigour to fight criminalities through intelligence-driven operations continues to pay off, as the resilience and dedication of our operatives inflicted substantial losses on some economic saboteurs, who are bent on bringing our country to its knees through their nefarious activities.”

Giving more details on activities of the Unit under his leadership, he informed :  “On 23rd and 24th of May 2025, our patrol teams within Lagos metropolis acted on intelligence intercepted 2X40FT containers with containers numbers (MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090), along Ijora-Olopa, and mile-2 axis. The examination reports of these containers revealed the following contents. seven Mitsubishi Canters, five Toyota Hiace Buses, and three Mini Shuttle Buses, with clear intention of evading Customs duties. Other items included used bicycles, 312; Bales of printed wax; 23 Bales of used clothes; 42 used gas cylinders; 30 used flat screens televisions; 65 table top cookers; and 31 unit of used air conditioners, among others.

“It is pertinent to note that the importation of these items contravenes schedule 4 of the common external tariff.

“On May 19, 2025, another patrol team intercepted a Volvo truck, and investigation revealed it to contain 1263 used tyres and other goods. One suspect was also arrested.

“Similarly, on May 19, 2025, our officers on a routine patrol along Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode express-way in Ogun State, intercepted one truck with registration number T24623LA, conveying uncustoms goods including Bullet Proof vests. Again, an investigation revealed the content to include some parcels of Tramadol.

“On May 26, 2025, through intelligence-driven operations, our men on Ijebu-Ode patrol team arrested one empty Mercedes Benz truck. Thorough rummaging of the truck and careful observation by our officers led to uncovering concealment of Cannabis Sativa in the compartments of the truck. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.”

He pointed out :  “Additionally, our patrol teams around the borders areas across the six (6) States of the Southwest have intensified surveillance of our borders against unscrupulous elements among Nigerians, resulting in several seizures of rice, Cannabis Sativa, used cars and other goods in a flash points of Imeko, Ilaro, Owode, Idiroko , Ilara, Ihumbo,Abeokuta, Badagry, Agbara, Gbaji, shaki and Iseyin in Oyo state.”

Comptroller Shuaibu, the anti-smuggling guru, revealed that in all, 46 interceptions were recorded during the two weeks of operations, which included foreign rice; 11 used vehicles; 4000 litres of premium motor spirit; white and Black J5 commercial Bus loaded with expired goods; a Volvo Truck with 180 sacks of new towels; and 1665kg of Indian hemp, among other items.

In the spirit of inter-agency collaboration, the 1665kg of Indian hemp were officially handed over to NDLEA for further investigation.

Comptroller Shuaibu added :
“As criminals get more desperate and daring, we at the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ will ensure the sustainability of a more formidable defence against the antics devised by these non-state actors. The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to design and implement sustainable programmes that will grow our economy, increase revenue for the government, and encourage legitimate trade.”

Those were not all. Aside the impressive anti-smuggling records, the Unit through hard work and resilience of the officers recovered a huge sum of N48.3million following issuance of Demand Notices (DN) on under-declared goods.