FOU ZONE A NABS ₦3.3BN SMUGGLED GOODS, SEIZES 1.4 TONS OF ‘GHANA LOAD
Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, has made significant strides in the unit’s anti-smuggling operations, seizing contraband worth over ₦3.3 billion within weeks of Comptroller Gambo Aliyu’s assumption of office at FOU Zone A, Ikeja.
The unit’s new strategy, according to Comptroller Alliyu, the Customs Area Controller of the command, focuses on intelligence-driven enforcement, leading to 144 smuggling attempts intercepted and various contraband seized by the FOU operatives.
Addressing journalists at the Ikeja on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the CAC noted that the seized items include 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 21 used vehicles, 3,362 jerrycans of vegetable oil, and 1,431kg of synthetic cannabis indica, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud”. The unit also intercepted four live pangolins and 581 used refrigerator compressors, demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to wildlife protection and environmental conservation.
Comptroller Aliyu further attributed the success to the unit’s collective efforts with sister agencies and emphasized the need for proactive health management. The FOU Zone A has also collected ₦36.89 million from Demand Notices issued for cargo misdeclaration. Aliyu commended officers for their dedication and pledged collaboration with government agencies and border communities to suppress smuggling.
The no-no sense CAC, who is working in tandium with the Customs Comptroller -General’ three core mandates of curbing illicit trade, protecting revenue lost, and ensuring national security.
He (Aliyu) however, warned smugglers to desist from illegal activities within his operational axis, stating that “there will be no safe routes and no hiding places for economic saboteurs”.
The 3029 packets of Cannabis weighing 1,425kg seized by the unit was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during the press briefing for further investigation and prosecution.
Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which the CAC said have Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3,319,893,255.00.
The CAC revealed that in an effort to boost import and export trade compliance by addressing issues on false declarations of cargo and Demand Notices were issued between December 10,2025 to date. And a total of N36,891,826.00 was recovered into the federal government purse.
Comptroller Alliyu Gambo equally emphasized that the unit under his control is committed in enforcement of genuine trade compliance thereby sustaining real enforcement tactics rooted with the overall aim of depressing smuggling.