The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja, has announced a significant crackdown on smuggling activities within a two-week period. Operating primarily within Lagos and Oyo states, customs officials intercepted a substantial quantity of contraband goods with a combined estimated value of N1.28 billion. The seized items included 40-foot containers, 11 vehicles, and a diverse assortment of other illicit goods. Seven suspects were apprehended in connection with these interceptions. The operation underscores the Customs Service’s commitment to combating smuggling and enforcing trade regulations.
The seizures encompassed a wide range of prohibited and restricted items, revealing the diverse nature of smuggling operations. Among the intercepted goods were two 40-foot containers discovered in the Ijora-Olopa and Mile 2 areas of Lagos. Upon inspection, these containers were found to contain disassembled vehicles, including seven Mitsubishi Canters, five Toyota Hiace buses, and three mini shuttle buses. This method of importation, known as “cutting up,” is employed to evade customs duties and represents a significant loss of revenue for the government.
Beyond the disassembled vehicles, the seized containers also held a variety of other contraband items. These included used bicycles, substantial quantities of printed wax and used clothing, used gas cylinders, flat-screen televisions, tabletop cookers, and split air conditioning units. The importation of these used and potentially unsafe goods contravenes Nigeria’s import regulations, specifically Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff, which outlines prohibited and restricted items. The seizure of these goods not only protects government revenue but also safeguards public health and safety.
Further interceptions included a Volvo truck carrying 1,263 pieces of used tires, highlighting the illicit trade in used and potentially unsafe automotive parts. Another significant discovery involved a truck concealing packages of tramadol, a controlled substance often abused for its opioid properties, and a Mercedes Benz truck ingeniously modified to conceal cannabis sativa within its compartments. These seizures demonstrate the sophisticated methods employed by smugglers to circumvent customs controls and underscore the ongoing need for vigilant enforcement.
The Customs Service’s operations extended beyond Lagos, encompassing various locations in the southwest region, including Ogun State. Along the Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode Expressway, officers intercepted a truck containing bulletproof vests and tramadol, further demonstrating the breadth of illegal activities targeted by the operation. The strategic deployment of patrol teams along known smuggling routes and border areas, particularly in flashpoints like Imeko, Ilaro, Owode, Idiroko, Ilara, Ihumbo, Abeokuta, Badagry, Agbara, Gbaji, Shaki, and Iseyin, has resulted in a series of seizures.
The cumulative result of these operations over the two-week period was impressive, with a total of 46 interceptions recorded. This included four trailer loads of rice, a staple food often subject to smuggling due to price differentials across borders. In addition to the vehicles and contraband already mentioned, the seizures also encompassed 1,665kg of cannabis sativa, 4,000 liters of premium motor spirit (likely smuggled gasoline), a commercial bus loaded with expired goods, and a Volvo truck containing 180 sacks of new towels. These diverse seizures reflect the wide range of illicit activities customs officials combat.
The Controller of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Mohammed Shuaibu, highlighted the Customs Service’s dual role as a border security agency and a trade facilitator. He emphasized the importance of balancing these responsibilities through effective risk management strategies. Shuaibu acknowledged that smugglers constantly adapt their tactics to evade detection, but reaffirmed the Customs Service’s commitment to remaining vigilant and proactive in its anti-smuggling efforts. The recent successes serve as a testament to this commitment and demonstrate the ongoing efforts to protect national revenue and secure Nigeria’s borders.
