The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ has intercepted 473 smuggling attempts and recovered ₦5.5 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV) within eight weeks of intensified operations across the South-West.

Comptroller Gambo Aliyu disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Ikeja, attributing the success to advanced surveillance, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency collaboration.

According to the Comptroller Key seizures between 3rd February and 28th April 2026 includes :

– Rice*: 8,794 bags of 50kg, equivalent to 15 trailer loads

– *Cannabis Indica ‘Ghanaian Loud’*: 3,340 parcels weighing 1,540kg

*Cocaine & Methamphetamine*: 6.4kg with a street value of ₦2.35 billion, intercepted in a Toyota Highlander at Elijah Bus Stop, Lagos-Abidjan corridor

: 22 used Tokunbo vehicles, 1,188 kegs of vegetable oil, 31,705 litres of PMS, 328 bales of used clothing, 485 used tyres

– Other items* includes 1,863 used refrigerator compressors, 531 cartons of foreign poultry products, 69 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 24 bags of foreign sugar

The Unit also seized four cylinders of high-grade mercury concealed in a Toyota Avensis at Gbaji Outpost. The chemical, controlled under the Minamata Convention, is illegally used in small-scale gold mining. The suspect has been granted administrative bail pending handover to NESREA.

In a major anti-drug operation code-named *“OPERATION HAWK”*, the Unit said it targeted illicit supply chains. The 1,540kg cannabis and 6.4kg cocaine and methamphetamine will be handed over to the NDLEA for prosecution.

Aliyu said the Unit recovered an additional ₦97.7 million through post-clearance auditl and demand notices for under-declared consignments.

He added that FOU ‘A’ is advancing digitisation with geospatial intelligence, drones, satellite imagery, and real-time vehicle tracking to map high-risk corridors in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ondo states. The new ultra-modern Command Headquarters at Iperu, Ogun State, commissioned by President Bola Tinubu, will serve as the hub for the command and control centre.

“We continue to support legitimate trade while striking a balance between security enforcement and economic growth,” Aliyu said, noting fewer complaints from lawful traders on major highways.

He thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and commended officers for their role in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and economy