Nigeria Customs Service Reinforces Trade Facilitation Efforts while Tackling Smuggling
Gambo Aliyu, the Comptroller General of the Zone “A” Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), emphasized the unit’s dual role in trade facilitation and its unwavering commitment to combating smuggling, fraud, and other criminal activities. During a recent press briefing in Ikeja, Aliyu presented a range of seized items, showcasing the results of the unit’s ongoing operations.
Aliyu conveyed that the FOU remains dedicated to supporting legitimate trade. This includes executing intelligence-driven operations that effectively balance the enforcement of security measures with promoting economic growth. He stressed the importance of not unduly burdening legitimate traders in these efforts.
As part of its intensified operations, FOU operatives apprehended a 71-year-old individual found with 6.4 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine, valued at an astounding N2.35 billion, along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor. This arrest highlights the increasing complexities of drug trafficking in the region.
Additionally, Aliyu noted the seizure of 3,340 parcels of synthetic cannabis Indica, commonly referred to as ‘Ghana Loud,’ totaling 1,540 kilograms. The operations also resulted in the confiscation of 15 trailers filled with smuggled rice and other contraband items, aimed at curtailing economic sabotage amid heightened vigilance across the South-West.
The Comptroller General reiterated the ongoing commitment to tackling these economic threats and securing Nigeria’s borders. He highlighted that the FOU has thwarted 473 smuggling attempts over the past eight weeks through improved surveillance, collaborative information sharing, and interagency coordination. Notable confiscated items during this period included 8,794 bags of foreign rice, 22 used vehicles, 1,863 used refrigerator compressors, and significant quantities of vegetable oil and petrol.
In addition to combating traditional smuggling, Aliyu discussed the launch of a specialized operation named ‘Operation Hawk,’ which targets drug trafficking networks. The initiative focuses on disrupting the illegal trade of hazardous goods while protecting both state revenues and public safety. Through this operation, the unit successfully confiscated an alarming 3,340 parcels of the synthetic Indica strain of cannabis.
Aliyu remarked on the necessity of adapting to changing trafficking methods, identifying this as a pressing security concern. He called upon security stakeholders to enhance their information-sharing capabilities to effectively dismantle these supply chains. In efforts to bolster these initiatives, the FOU is leveraging modern technology alongside a dedicated team focused on integrating human intelligence (HUMINT) and open source intelligence (OSINT), achieving positive and measurable outcomes.
