In a renewed effort to curb illicit trade and protect Nigeria’s economic interests, Comptroller Muhammed Shuaibu has intensified intelligence-driven operations targeted at dismantling smuggling networks within his area of command.
Under his leadership, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has adopted a more strategic and intelligence-based approach, leveraging actionable data, surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration to intercept contraband and enforce trade compliance, particularly across the nation’s porous borders.
Speaking on the renewed crackdown, Comptroller Shuaibu noted that the war against smuggling requires not only boots on the ground but also refined tactics grounded in timely intelligence and community engagement.
“Our operations are now sharper, smarter, and more proactive. We are deploying real-time intelligence and strengthening ties with local communities to track smugglers’ routes and tactics. This is not just enforcement; it is strategic protection of our national economy,” he said.
In recent months, operatives under his command have recorded several interceptions, including seizures of foreign parboiled rice, petroleum products, second-hand clothing, and other prohibited items with duty-paid values running into hundreds of millions of naira. The sustained crackdown has not only disrupted smuggling chains but has also served as a deterrent to economic saboteurs operating under the guise of informal trade.
Comptroller Shuaibu further stressed that the operations are being conducted with a commitment to professionalism, strict adherence to human rights, and zero tolerance for compromise within the ranks of enforcement officers.
He also lauded the support from patriotic Nigerians who continue to provide credible intelligence, emphasizing that curbing smuggling is a shared responsibility. “We call on traditional leaders, transport unions, youth groups, and all well-meaning citizens to remain vigilant and support the Customs Service in exposing unpatriotic elements whose actions rob the country of revenue and endanger local industries.”
The Customs boss reiterated that his command remains fully aligned with the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose administration has consistently advocated for enhanced border security and smarter enforcement mechanisms.
As Nigeria continues to push for economic diversification and self-reliance, the clampdown on smuggling activities is seen as vital to safeguarding the country’s manufacturing sector, securing local jobs, and boosting government revenue. Comptroller Shuaibu’s intensified efforts reflect a broader national resolve to restore integrity and order to the nation’s trade corridors.
