The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, has intercepted prohibited goods worth N6.19 billion in four weeks.
Acting Comptroller of the Unit, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Tuesday at his maiden press briefing in Lagos, explained that the seizures were part of efforts to combat smuggling, protect revenue and strengthen national security.
He said the Unit recorded 195 interceptions within the period through intelligence-driven operations, improved surveillance, risk-based examination and collaboration with other agencies.
According to him, the seizures had a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦6,194,695,947.05, representing a significant breakthrough in the unit’s renewed campaign against economic sabotage and cross border criminal activities.
The seized items included 3,028 bags of 50kg imported rice, 995 bags of 25kg rice, 104 bags of 20kg rice and 207 bags of 5kg rice, alongside 5,986 parcels of Cannabis sativa and indica weighing 3,407.83 kilogrammes.
Other interceptions comprises 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, 6,949 cartons of smuggled spaghetti, 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second hand clothing, 1,236 used tyres and 33 used rims.
He said the unit also intercepted 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 57 cartons, 37 packs and six pieces of codeine syrup, 20 cartons of couscous, 101 bags of imported sugar and eight bags of powdered milk.
He further disclosed that operatives seized 23,220 pieces of new machetes allegedly smuggled into the country without the required certificates and permits, as well as 12 bags of grain oat products and a 40 foot container carrying 2,760 pieces of office chairs in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) form.
Other items included 400 grammes of cocaine, 100 grammes of methamphetamine, eight live pangolins, 1,250 rounds of 12 calibre Red Star cartridges, 250 cartons of Lotus sardines without NAFDAC numbers, 21 foreign used vehicles and 11 means of conveyance.
He expressed concern over the quantity of cannabis intercepted, warning that the increasing availability of potent varieties posed serious risks to young people, families and society.
He mentioned the 2025 World Drug Report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which identified cannabis as the most widely available and commonly used drug, accounting for an estimated 42 per cent of drug use disorder cases worldwide.
He raised concerns over the interception of 23,220 machetes, noting that the items could potentially be deployed to disrupt peaceful elections in the coming months if they found their way into the wrong hands.
He said the unit had strengthened revenue recovery through compliance checks, scrutiny of import declarations, correction of under valuations and the issuance of demand notices to defaulters.
He disclosed that between September 30, 2026, and Tuesday, the unit recovered ₦683,661,304.05 through these measures, attributing the achievement to enhanced risk profiling, targeted examinations and improved compliance monitoring.
He assured importers, licensed customs agents and members of the trading public that the unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while maintaining zero tolerance for fraudulent declarations, duty evasion and activities capable of undermining national security.
He emphasised the import of interagency cooperation in tackling transnational crimes, disclosing that FOU Zone A had sustained collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Army, NAFDAC and other relevant agencies.
He informed that the seized narcotics and suspects would be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while other prohibited items would be transferred to appropriate agencies in accordance with their statutory responsibilities.