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Customs Report

Customs FOU Zone C Seizes ₦403m Worth of Smuggled Vegetable Oil

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BY FUNMI ALUKO
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, has recorded a major breakthrough in its anti-smuggling drive, intercepting over 3,310 jerrycans and cartons of foreign vegetable oil valued at ₦403.49 million.
According to Comptroller Bishir Balogun, the seizures were made through intelligence-led operations along the 9th Mile axis in Enugu on May 9 and the Onitsha–Agbor highway on June 7, 2026. Two trucks laden with the contraband were intercepted during late-night patrols.
Giving the breakdown of the seizures, Balogun listed the items to include
3,310 jerrycans of 25-litre “Super Delicious ” branded vegetable oil, 10 jerrycans of 10-litre oil,  20 cartons of 5-litre sunflower oil, and  20 cartons of 3-litre sunflower oil.
Balogun emphasized that the smuggling of foreign vegetable oil undermines Nigeria’s domestic industry, discourages local investment, hampers job creation, and drains foreign exchange.
He noted that the seizure is not only an economic safeguard but also a measure to protect public health and national security.
The Comptroller reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to enforcing the NCS Act 2022 and Federal Government’s fiscal policies, which prohibit the importation of foreign vegetable oil to encourage local production.
The FOU boss said the confiscated items remains in Customs custody as investigations continue, with legal proceedings expected to follow. This is even as he issued a stern warning to smugglers and criminal networks to desist, stressing that the NCS will intensify intelligence-driven operations across the region.
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