Oluchi Chibuzor
The Acting Controller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oladapo Afeni, has mentioned that the unit seized smuggled contrabands gadgets value about N6.19billion, geared toward sabotaging the financial growth of the nation.
Also, he mentioned the unit foils 195 smuggling makes an attempt in 4 weeks, warning below his watch the unit would stay resolute in its combat in opposition to smuggling, dedicated to income safety, and devoted to skilled, clear, and intelligence-led customs operations.
Speaking at press briefing in Lagos, yesterday, Afeni, acknowledged that the unit carries a essential mandate to suppress smuggling, shield authorities income, implement customs regulation, safeguard Nigeria’s financial system and safety pursuits throughout its space of accountability.
He famous that each one these successes recorded upon his resumption as Acting Comptroller inside weeks, was as a result of Zone A have streamlined and coordinated inside processes, prioritised intelligence-driven enforcement, improved surveillance, risk-based examination, and stronger collaboration with related authorities companies and stakeholders.
Afeni warned that the unit would proceed to behave professionally, implement the regulation firmly, shield official commerce, and be certain that those that search to undermine the nation’s financial system are made to face the implications of their actions.
According to him, below their renewed operational technique, the unit have recorded vital successes within the interception of prohibited and unwholesome items.
“Within the 4 weeks of my assumption right here, the unit thwarted 195 smuggling makes an attempt involving prohibited and restricted gadgets with a complete obligation paid worth of N6,194,695,947.5. The seizures embrace the next, Smuggled rice of 3,028 baggage of 50 kg, 995 baggage of 25 kg every, 104 baggage of 20 kg every, and 207 of 5 kg. 5,986 parcels of hashish, sativa and indica, weighing 3,407.83 kg. That is like 3.4 tonnes.
“Other are 173 cartons of imported smuggled frozen poultry product, 6,949 cartons of smuggled spaghetti, 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, 1,236 pieces of used tyers, 33 pieces of used rings, 8,025 litres of PMS, 57 cartons, 34 packs, and 6 pieces of coding syrup, already handed over to NABDAC, ”he mentioned.
He burdened that these seizures transcend mere statistics, however signify income recovered from depredation, native industries protected, and lives saved from harmful and substandard items.
“We will not measure our success by how much we seize, but by how much harm we have prevented. The volume of cannabis on display is of grave concern when considered alongside the World Drug Report of 2025 issued by 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 percent of drug use disorder cases worldwide,” headded.
