The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, said it intercepted seven 20ft containers of contraband worth N1.5bn between April 23, 2025, and to date.

The Customs Area Controller in charge of the unit, Mohammed Shuaibu, announced this on Friday while showcasing some of the seized contrabands to journalists. He added that the various contrabands were seized within the Lagos State metropolis.

Shuaibu stressed that within the period under review, the command collected a total sum of N20.7m through demand notices where shortfalls are identified, and also conducted auction sales of seized perishable goods.

“We have diligently optimised these revenue streams to ensure accurate recovery of funds,” he said.

Speaking on the seized containers, he explained that in a significant achievement in the ongoing battle against illicit trade, “our team acted on credible intelligence, successfully intercepted and seized seven 20ft containers filled with various illicit items within the Lagos Metropolis.”

Giving details of the seizures, Shuaibu stated that a container with the registration number MSKU 8551954, which was carrying used tyres and vehicles, was intercepted.

“Another container with registration number, SYDU 1479614, was carrying foreign parboiled rice, another one with registration number, MSKU 7751689, was also carrying foreign parboiled rice, MSKU 798700 also carrying foreign parboiled rice, ZCSU 8845072 was carrying new shoes, ZCSU 7055181 was carrying new clothes, and PIDU 4258491 had new bags, all were seized,” Shuaibu explained.

The FOU A Customs boss emphasised that the unit has bolstered their strategies to secure Nigeria’s Southwestern States Borders against economic saboteurs.

According to him, within the period under review, the unit has inflicted substantial losses on smugglers through the interception of other illegal items.

“Notable seizures include 4,085 bags of foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to seven trailers, 15 illegally imported foreign-used vehicles, 82 packs of tramadol, and 246kg of cannabis sativa, 290 jerrycans of premium motor spirit, 12 bales and four sacks of used clothing,” he added.

He mentioned that four suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, “which has a total duty paid value of N1.5bn.”

Shuaibu reiterated that the service remains resolute in its efforts to combat smuggling, counterfeit products, and other forms of illicit trade. He mentioned that the achievements testify to the unit’s unwavering dedication to protecting the economy and the citizens.

Shuaibu highlighted that the service would continue to collaborate with sister security agencies and border communities to dismantle the networks engaged in illicit activities.

He stressed that in line with the dictates of the NCS to foster inter-agency collaboration, “we will be handing over the seized 246kg of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency and the tramadol capsules would be handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and prosecution.”

“We encourage the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or illicit trade. I also urged our declarants to remain honest in their declarations to avoid unnecessary bottlenecks,” he said.

He said that the unit’s intelligence-driven operations are designed to create a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive trading environment that will benefit the stakeholders and the public through barrier-free operations, “as we intend to collapse all patrol points within the Lagos metropolis.”