The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, has intensified anti-smuggling operations ahead of the 2027 general elections, intercepting 3.4 tonnes of cannabis and 23,220 pieces of new matchets among prohibited goods valued at N6.19 billion.
The acting comptroller of the Unit, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Tuesday in Ikeja, Lagos, during his maiden press briefing, where he said the seizures were recorded within four weeks of intensified enforcement operations.
Afeni said the operation was aimed at preventing the circulation of prohibited goods, protecting the national economy and curbing the movement of items that could threaten public safety and security, particularly as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the Unit intercepted 195 smuggling attempts involving prohibited and restricted items with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N6,194,695,947.05.
The seized items included 5,986 parcels of cannabis weighing 3,407.83 kilogrammes, 23,220 pieces of new matchets, 1,250 cartridges of Red Star 12-calibre ammunition, 400 grammes of cocaine, 100 grammes of methamphetamine and eight live pangolins.
Other seizures comprised 21 foreign-used vehicles, 3,028 bags of 50kg imported rice, 6,949 cartons of spaghetti, 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, 1,236 used tyres, 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, and 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The Unit also intercepted 57 cartons, 37 packs and six pieces of codeine syrup, 250 cartons of Lotus sardines without NAFDAC registration numbers, 101 bags of imported sugar, eight bags of powdered milk, 12 bags of grain oat products, 20 cartons of couscous and a 40-foot container carrying 2,760 office chairs in completely knocked-down form.
Speaking on the security implications of the seizures, Afeni said the interception of the matchets was particularly significant given the approaching elections, warning that the items could be diverted for criminal activities.
He said, “The 23,220 pieces of new matchets being smuggled into the country without requisite certificates and permits could easily be deployed towards disrupting peaceful elections in a couple of months.
“Election violence is rarely an isolated incident but facilitated and aided by smuggling activities like the one thwarted by our operatives.”
The Customs chief said the Unit would sustain intelligence-driven enforcement operations to prevent the movement of prohibited items and ensure that criminal networks were dismantled.
He added that the seizures were not merely statistics but represented efforts to protect the economy, local industries and the lives of Nigerians.
“These seizures go beyond mere statistics, but represent revenue recovered for the Federation, local industries protected, and lives saved from dangerous and substandard goods.
“We will not measure our success by how much we seize, but by how much harm we prevent,” Afeni said.
He expressed concern over the volume of cannabis intercepted, noting that the drug posed serious risks to public health and the wellbeing of young Nigerians.
Afeni said the seizure of the cannabis would reduce its availability and the proceeds generated by illegal drug sales, while helping to prevent the social and economic consequences associated with drug abuse.
He said, “The volume of Cannabis on display is of grave concern when considered alongside the World Drug Report of 2025 issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) where Cannabis remains the most available and widely used drug, while simultaneously accounting for an estimated 42 per cent of drug use disorder cases worldwide.
“Increasingly-potent cannabis strains including the variety popularly marketed as Colorado have destroyed otherwise promising futures among young people. The effect goes beyond individual users to include disruption of families, fuelling of social vices, and placing considerable strain on our healthcare system.
“This interception deals a blow to availability, illegal proceeds of sale, and use of these products with the attendant diverse and adverse effects averted.”
Beyond anti-smuggling operations, the Unit also recovered N683.66 million in additional revenue through compliance checks and the detection of irregularities in import declarations.
Afeni said the Unit recovered N683,661,304.05 between September 30, 2026, and the date of the briefing, following the correction of under-valuations and the issuance of demand notices to importers.
He attributed the recovery to enhanced risk profiling, stricter compliance checks, targeted examination of questionable declarations and collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders.
The Acting Comptroller assured importers, licensed Customs agents and other members of the trading public that the Unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while enforcing Customs laws against fraudulent practices.
“Let me assure importers, licensed Customs agents, and members of the trading public that the Unit will continue to distinguish between legitimate trade and fraudulent practices. We will facilitate compliant trade, but we will not tolerate attempts to evade duties, falsify declarations, or undermine national security,” he said.
Afeni said the Unit had strengthened collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Army, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other relevant agencies.
He said the partnerships would be sustained through intelligence sharing, joint operations, capacity building and coordinated enforcement.
According to him, seized narcotics and suspects would be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while other prohibited items would be transferred to the appropriate agencies in line with their statutory responsibilities.
Afeni urged members of the public to support the fight against smuggling by reporting suspicious activities and supporting lawful trade.
He warned smugglers and their collaborators that the Unit would continue to disrupt their networks, intercept prohibited consignments and ensure that offenders faced the full weight of the law.
“Smuggling thrives where it is tolerated, protected, or ignored. Every citizen has a role to play by reporting suspicious activities, and supporting lawful trade.
“To economic saboteurs and unpatriotic individuals, our message is clear: the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, will remain vigilant. We will continue to disrupt your networks, intercept your consignments, and ensure that the full weight of the law is applied where appropriate,” he said.
The Acting Comptroller said the Unit would remain committed to professional, transparent and intelligence-led operations, adding that the seizures recorded so far were a call for greater commitment rather than a reason for complacency.
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