FOU Zone ‘A’ Arrests Female Suspect, Intercepts Rice, Cannabis, Cars Worth N3.3bn

The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice and intercepted 1,431 kilograms of cannabis, alongside other contraband items valued at N3.3 billion.

The Customs Area Controller of the unit, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos on Tuesday. He said eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.

Aliyu explained that a female suspect was apprehended with the cannabis consignment. He also confirmed that the command lost an officer who led the interception on Tuesday, February 3, adding that the incident had been formally reported to the customs high command.

While displaying the seized rice, second hand clothing and other items, the comptroller described the operation as the result of a strategic overhaul based on intelligence led enforcement. He said the unit recorded 144 seizures of various contraband items within six weeks of his assumption of duty in late December 2025.

According to him, the success was achieved through the reorganisation of patrol patterns, stronger internal supervision and a shift from predictable checkpoints to targeted deployments across the Lagos metropolis.

The seizures included 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to 12 trailer loads, 77 bags of foreign sugar and 21 used vehicles. Others were 3,362 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of premium motor spirit, 915 bales of used clothing and a 20 foot container loaded with stone coated aluminium roofing sheets.

Aliyu said officers also intercepted 3,029 parcels of synthetic cannabis weighing about 1,431 kilograms, with a duty paid value of N3.3 billion. He described the operation as a major disruption of criminal supply networks that fuel insecurity in the country.

He noted that drug trafficking contributes to rising banditry, terrorism and other social vices by providing stimulants that embolden perpetrators and weaken social order.

The comptroller further announced environmental and wildlife related interceptions, including four live pangolins rescued along Alapa Creek in Ajilete and handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre. He also said the unit seized 581 used refrigerator compressors concealed in a vehicle, warning that such items pose serious environmental and public health risks because of hazardous substances and greenhouse gas emissions.

Aliyu explained that the seizure complied with Section 55(1)(d) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Basel Convention, which regulate the transboundary movement of hazardous waste.

He confirmed that all eight suspects arrested in connection with the seizures were under investigation.

Beyond enforcement activities, Aliyu said the unit recovered N36.89 million between December 10, 2025 and February 2, 2026 through demand notices issued over cargo misdeclaration and other import and export compliance breaches.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to fighting smuggling, cross border crimes and economic sabotage. He said the unit would continue to enhance trade facilitation through professionalism, intelligence driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies and border communities.

Aliyu commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for the opportunity to serve and urged officers of the unit to sustain the momentum in protecting Nigeria’s economy, environment and national security.

In line with inter agency cooperation, the intercepted cannabis was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.

While receiving the cannabis and the female suspect, the Commander of Narcotics and Deputy State Commander Operations and Training of the Lagos Strategic Command, Ibrahim Muhammadu-Kabir, commended the Federal Operations Unit for the strong synergy between both agencies. He expressed concern over the involvement of a female suspect and urged the public to support government efforts in the fight against illicit drugs.