Nigeria Customs operatives
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted prohibited and restricted goods valued at ₦6.19 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV) over a four-week period, officials announced on Tuesday.
Among the high-profile seizures were 3.4 tonnes of high-potency cannabis, tens of thousands of illicitly imported machetes, ammunition, and narcotics.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Oladapo Afeni, revealed that the unit recorded a total of 195 seizures between September 30 and November 3, 2026.
The seizures included 5,986 parcels of Cannabis sativa and indica, weighing a combined 3,407.83 kilogrammes, along with 400 grammes of cocaine, 100 grammes of methamphetamine, and several cartons of codeine syrup.
Afeni expressed serious concern over the increasing availability of potent cannabis varieties targeting Nigerian youth. Citing the 2025 World Drug Report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), he noted that cannabis remains the most widely consumed illicit drug globally, accounting for roughly 42 percent of drug use disorder cases.
“Smuggling thrives where it is tolerated, protected or ignored. Every citizen has a role to play by reporting suspicious activities and supporting lawful trade.” Oladapo Afeni, said.
Security concerns were also raised following the interception of 23,220 new machetes imported without mandatory end-user certificates and permits, alongside 1,250 rounds of 12-calibre live cartridges.
Afeni warned that these arms and edged weapons could potentially be hijacked by criminal elements to disrupt peaceful elections in the coming months.
Key Items Seized During Operations
| Category | Quantities / Items Seized |
| Narcotics & Controlled Drugs | 3,407.83 kg Cannabis (5,986 parcels), 400g Cocaine, 100g Meth, Codeine syrups |
| Weapons & Security Concerns | 23,220 new Machetes, 1,250 rounds of 12-calibre cartridges |
| Foodstuffs & Agro Imports | 4,334 bags of foreign Rice, 6,949 cartons of Spaghetti, 173 cartons of frozen Poultry, 101 bags of Sugar |
| General Goods & Vehicles | 498 bales/sacks of Second-hand Clothing, 1,236 used Tyres, 21 foreign-used Vehicles, 11 conveyances |
| Wildlife & Energy | 8 live Pangolins, 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) |
Beyond physical contraband interceptions, the unit generated ₦683.66 million through post-clearance compliance checks, import declaration audits, demand notices, and recovery from under-valuation.
Afeni credited the unit’s success to enhanced surveillance, intelligence-driven operations, and robust inter-agency synergy.
He confirmed that seized narcotics and suspects will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution, while other items will be transferred to relevant regulatory bodies such as NAFDAC, NESREA, and the Nigeria Police Force.
Reaffirming the service’s commitment to lawful trade, Afeni pledged to sustain pressure on smuggling syndicates to protect government revenue, shield local manufacturing, and strengthen national security. He praised Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi for his leadership and urged officers to remain steadfast in curbing economic sabotage.
