Officer’s Death Casts Shadow Over Telling Victory

…As FOU Zone A Rout Smuggling Rings, Cripple 144 Cases

Hands Over 38 Sacks of Seized Cannabis to NDLEA

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Tuesday, announced seizures worth over ₦3.3 billion in duty paid value, even as the Command mourns the death of one of its officers who died in active service hours before the briefing.

Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, speaking during his maiden press briefing at the Command headquarters in Ikeja, declared that the unit will not compromise its mandate of combating smuggling, drug trafficking, and other trans-border crimes on account of ill informed attacks; vowing however that the long hand of the law would catch up with whoever is connected with the condemnable violence.

With a heavy hearted voice, Aliyu said: “Relative to these operations, the Command just this morning lost one of its promising officers, who fell to the cold hands of death in the service of our Fatherland. This loss has already been communicated to the Service High Command”, he added.

Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that within weeks of assuming duty, the unit intercepted 144 smuggling attempts. He listed the seizures to include 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice (12 trailer loads), 77 bags of foreign sugar, 21 assorted Tokunbo vehicles, and 3,362 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil (25 litres each).

Others according to him are 20,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 915 bales of used clothing, and 20-foot container of stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets.

He explained that, “These interceptions were achieved through intelligence-driven deployment rather than routine checkpoints,” noting that the impressive yield is as a result of strategy realignment.

“We reorganized patrols and strengthened internal supervision with clear performance indicators for every team member.”

Speaking on the drug haul handed over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the hard working, new sheriff in town highlighted the interception of 3,029 parcels of cannabis indica (‘Ghanaian loud’), weighing 1,431kg, equivalent to 38 sacks, as a major disruption of the nation’s drug trafficking supply chains.

“Drug trafficking fuels terrorism, banditry, and societal vices. Our determination is resolute, perpetrators must embrace legitimate trade or face the consequences,” he warned.

In line with inter-agency collaboration, the seized cannabis was formally handed over to the officials of NDLEA during the briefing for further investigation and prosecution.

In the area of wildlife and environmental protection, Aliyu also announced the interception of four live pangolins along Alapa Creek, Ajilete, within the period under review. He said the endangered species have been handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre for safekeeping in line with the existing standard operating procedure (SOP).

Additionally, the unit seized 581 used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle. Aliyu stressed that the action was in line with Section 55(1)(d) of the NCS Act (2023) and the Basel Convention (1989), which prohibit hazardous waste imports.

“Used compressors often carry toxic residues that leach into soil and emit greenhouse gases. This seizure is a vital win for Nigeria’s environment and public safety,” he said.

In all, the Unit Controller said eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, adding that between December 10, 2025, and February 3, 2026, the unit also recovered ₦36.8 million in Demand Notices (DN) from cases of cargo under-declaration.

Aliyu emphasized that the Unit’s core mandate remains strengthening the integrity of the supply chain and pledged continued synergy with sister security agencies, stakeholders, and border communities.

“The achievements recorded testify to our unwavering dedication to protecting our economy and citizenry. We will root out economic saboteurs and continue to facilitate legitimate trade,” he affirmed.

While expressing gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the opportunity to serve, he commended officers of the unit for their dedication to duty. This is even as he also urged members of the public to report suspicious smuggling activities, assuring that such reports would be treated with strict confidentiality.