The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has restated its commitment to combating smuggling and strengthening border security to safeguard Nigeria’s economy.
This assurance was given during a press briefing held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Nigeria Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller General Hussein Ejibunu.
ACG Ejibunu commended the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ and Operation Whirlwind for their recent enforcement successes across the South-West region.
Between June 3 and July 18, 2025, the FOU Zone ‘A’ carried out 102 operations that led to the interception of goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1,784,432,000.
Recovered items included:
3,500 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), equivalent to six trailer loads
304kg of Cannabis Sativa
7,900 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in jerrycans
95 cartons of frozen poultry
54 bags and 20 bales of used clothing
41 bags of used footwear
14 units of used vehicles
148 used tyres
42 gas cylinders
31 air conditioners
In addition, Customs operatives uncovered several misdeclared containers, including a 40-foot container of used tyres, a 20-foot container loaded with unregistered pharmaceuticals, and multiple trucks carrying used refrigerators, foreign supermarket goods, and second-hand clothes all in violation of import laws.
“These consignments were deliberately misdeclared in a bid to circumvent due process,” Ejibunu stated.
Nine suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. While some have been released on administrative bail, others are undergoing investigation.
The Unit also recovered ₦95,587,231.47 in underpaid duties through the issuance of Demand Notices on improperly declared goods.
The CGC commended officers for their resilience and patriotism, noting that they “risk their lives daily to protect Nigeria’s economic and territorial integrity.”
He further stressed the importance of synergy with traditional rulers, security agencies, and host communities, stating that familiarisation visits form part of a broader effort to strengthen collaboration and public confidence.
