COMPT ALIYU & HIS FOU ‘A’ OPERATIVES WOW INDUSTRY OPERATORS; MAKES N5.5 BILLION SEIZURES IN 8 WEEKS
Assorted prohibited products, including cocaine, Cannabis sativa, mercury, foreign parboiled rice worth more than N5.504 billion were intercepted by men of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) zone A, Lagos in the last eight weeks. In what looks like record breaking, the Unit announced several intelligence that went into seizing such massive items.
Controller of the FOU ’A’, Compt Gambo Aliyu disclosed to Newsmen today that a 71-year old man was in their custody for cocaine trafficking. While handing over the drugs as well as the suspects to the NDLEA , he said they would further subject them to regulatory action. He stated that the United States remains firm and focused on safeguarding the nation’s borders, protecting the economy and combatting all forms of illicit activities.
‘Under my humble leadership, the United States intensified decisive measures against smugglers who would stop at nothing to undermine the enforcement of the federal government fiscal policy measures and the provisions of the NCS Act 2023. The Unit , leveraging on advanced surveillance, intelligence sharing frameworks, and inter-agency collaboration thwarted 473 smuggling attempts within eight weeks’
Compt Aliyu noted that the seizures include; 8,794 bags of 50kg bags of rice equivalent to 15 trailer loads, (b) Used Tokunbo vehicles- 22 units. c) 1,863 pieces of used refrigerator compressors. d) Used Clothing- 328 bales. e) Vegetable Oil 1188 kegs of 25 litres each. f) PMS- 31, 705 litres. g) 485 pieces used tyres h) 69 cartons of foreign Bonita spaghetti i) 24 bags 50kg each of foreign sugar and Five Cartons of ST Louis. j) 531 cartons of foreign poultry products.
In the same vein, the unit reinforced its anti-smuggling strategies to continuously cut supply chain networks in drug trafficking with the launch of an operation code named “OPERATION HAWK” This is aimed at curbing illicit goods trafficking, safeguarding revenue and protecting our society and environment from incidences of crime, criminalities and pervasive societal vices that threaten national stability. Against this backdrop, the unit successfully took out 3,340 parcels of synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’, weighing 1540kg from the society. This effort is an affirmation of their commitment in the fight against drugs smuggling syndicates in the Zone. Their analysis of the trend in recent times, indicate that the traffickers are devising different methods to perpetuate illicit trade, therefore, there is the need for critical security stakeholders to upscale their intelligence sharing mechanism to cut the supply chain
completely. In addition to leveraging modern technologies for intelligence gathering, he has also constituted and effectively coordinated a specialised team responsible for integrating Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) operations, which is already yielding positive and measurable results.
He noted that in a separate operation, officers and men of the Gbaji outpost acting on credible intelligence at about 0645hrs of Thursday 30th April 2026, intercepted a green coloured Toyota Highlander driven by one Mr. Oni Iredia Martins, a 71year old male Nigerian citizen suspected to convey a Narcotics substance. Further examination of the vehicle revealed 6 parcels of cocaine substance, with 2 parcels of the powdered substance Cocaine weighing 2.3kg, and 4 parcels of the Methamphetamine weighing 4.1kg of crack cocaine, all totalling 6.4kg of the illicit substance. The consignment was intercepted at Elijah Bus stop along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, and has a street value of approximately N2.35b. The numerous seizures occurred across borders in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states. Several defendants were arrested in connection with these operations.
He stated that in a clear demonstration of inter-agency collaboration, the seized 1,540kg of synthetic strain of cannabis indica, ‘Ghanaian loud’, totalling 3,340 Compressed packages, together with the 6.4kg of Cocaine and Methamphetamine will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution in courts of competent jurisdictions. These seizures underscore the operational prowess and strategic effectiveness of their operatives. They also reinforce their unwavering dedication to disrupt smuggling networks and confront economic saboteurs whose actions threaten national security and undermine the fiscal policies of the federal government headlong.
According to him, in a similar development, vigilant officers on duty, seized Four (4) Cylinders of a Chemical confirmed to be high grade MERCURY, the item is illegally used in small scale mining of GOLD. The item is a DUAL-PURPOSE Chemical that poses significant environmental hazards and is controlled by the MINAMATA CONVENTION ON MERCURY. The items were concealed in the false bottom segment in the trunk of a TOYOTA AVENSIS, at the Gbaji Outpost, along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor. The arrest was effected together with a male suspect who has been granted Administrative bail, as investigation reached an advanced stage. The items and the suspect would be handed over to NESREA in furtherance of their agency function as directed by Headquarters.
He noted in addition to the numerous physical seizures and arrests made, the Unit also achieved remarkable success in revenue recovery through sustained enforcement of compliance measures and anti-smuggling operations. A Duty Paid Value (DPV) of (₦5,504,039,720.00) Five billion, Five Hundred and Four Million, Thirty-Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira only was recorded during the period under review. This impressive figure is a clear testimony to the
scale, intensity, and strategic effectiveness of their operations across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo States. It underscores the Unit’s unwavering commitment to the recovery of unpaid duties, interception of under-declared consignments, and strict enforcement of the Federal Government’s fiscal policies. The (₦5,504,039,720.00) Five billion, Five Hundred and Four Million, Thirty-Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira only DPV further demonstrates the significant contribution of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ to national revenue mobilization efforts, while simultaneously dealing a heavy blow to economic saboteurs and smugglers who attempt to undermine the nation’s economic interests. This achievement reinforces their resolve to maintain a high level of operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility in line with the vision of the Comptroller- General of Customs.
Aside enforcement operations, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ (FOU), also plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with import and export regulations. Strengthening the integrity of the declarations on the trade value chain remains a priority. In line with the ONE STOP initiative of the Service, the unit continues to scrutinize questionable declarations, interdict unpaid duty and issue Demand Notices (DN) in concert with the Post Clearance Audit, where necessary. Consequently, between 3rd February and 28th April 2026, a total of Ninety-Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-Six Naira and Fifty-Five Kobo (N97,703,596.55) only was recovered.
In alignment with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for a modern, technology- driven Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ is aggressively advancing the digitization of its operations. We are integrating cutting-edge technologies, particularly geospatial intelligence, to curb unwholesome practices including smuggling, under-declaration, duty evasion, and illicit trafficking. This includes the
deployment of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery, drone surveillance, real-time vehicle tracking, and predictive analytics to map high-risk border corridors, monitor smuggling hotspots in real time across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states, and enable proactive, intelligence-led operations.
He also said that Geospatial tools allow them to overlay seizure data, movement patterns of contraband such as rice, used vehicles, and narcotics, and intelligence reports on digital maps. This facilitates better resource allocation, rapid response, and disruption of supply chains before they reach our highways. The recent commissioning of their new state-of-the- art Command Headquarters at Iperu in Ogun State provides the perfect infrastructure backbone for this modernization drive. The facility will host an advanced Command and Control Centre equipped for geospatial monitoring, data analytics, and seamless inter-agency collaboration with NDLEA, Police, and other security and intelligence organisations.
He stated that this technological transformation aligns fully with the CGC’s vision of modernizing the NCS to meet global standards, enhance operational efficiency, improve revenue collection, and deliver faster trade facilitation while maintaining robust border security. By embracing these tools, they are not only strengthening enforcement but also creating a more transparent, accountable, and responsive Customs administration that supports legitimate trade in line with the WCO SAFE FRAMEWORK OF STANDARDS.
While they maintain vigilance against smuggling, fraud and criminalities, the FOU remains a strong partner in trade facilitation. They continue to support legitimate trade through intelligence-driven operations that strike a balance between security enforcement and economic growth, ensuring that lawful traders are not unduly hindered in the process. This is representative of the WCO SAFE FRAMEWORK OF STANDARDS. This is evident as we no longer hear or receive complains of unnecessary hindrance of cargo movements by our stakeholders who are doing legitimate businesses along the major highways in the Zone.
“Before I conclude this briefing, permit me to use this opportunity to inform you all that we shall commence a phased movement to our newly commissioned ultra-modern Command Headquarters at Iperu in Ogun State very soon.” The Iperu Headquarters, personally commissioned by His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure. This strategic relocation is not merely a change of physical address but a transformative step in the CGC’s vision for a fully modernized and efficient Nigeria Customs Service. The phased approach will ensure minimal disruption to their operations while allowing officers and men to gradually settle into the new facility. This move will significantly boost morale, enhance inter-agency collaboration, strengthen real-time monitoring of smuggling routes across the South-West, and position the Unit to deliver even greater results in revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security. They are confident that the relocation will mark a new era of operational excellence for the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’.
In conclusion, he expressed their gratitude to the indefatigable Comptroller General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR dsm fnipr fniia Psc (+), and his management team for their continued guidance and for providing them with the required direction which they are thriving on. He commends the tireless efforts of ther operatives and reaffirm their commitment to securing our nation’s borders against all forms of economic sabotage. “We will not relent in our mission to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment and protect our economy from illicit trade practices. I also deeply appreciate our esteem stakeholders and media partners for their support and modest reportage of our efforts.”