The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, has issued a stern warning to importers and their clearing agents over the persistent practice of false declarations, describing it as a threat to legitimate trade and national economic security.
Speaking in Lagos on Thursday while receiving members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, stated that the unit would intensify its reliance on intelligence-driven operations to combat smuggling while reducing indiscriminate stops of cargoes on highways.
Shuaibu, who assumed leadership of the FOU Zone A recently, expressed his commitment to deploying strategic intelligence to streamline enforcement and enhance trade facilitation. He emphasized that while the unit remains a frontline anti-smuggling outfit, it is equally charged with enabling smooth trade in line with global standards.
“In our renewed approach, we are adopting intelligence-led tactics rather than arbitrary container stoppage. The era of officers randomly flagging down cargo movements is coming to an end. Instead, enforcement will be based on actionable intelligence,” Shuaibu explained.
He disclosed that the command would soon unveil significant seizures and suspects linked to smuggling activities, highlighting the command’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation’s borders from contraband and illegal trade.
The Customs boss cautioned that dishonest practices by some importers and declarants remain a key reason for interventions by enforcement officers. He urged all stakeholders to embrace transparency in declarations, noting that such integrity would promote ease of doing business and reduce friction in cargo clearance processes.
“If you observe officers positioned at particular points, it is not by chance. Those deployments are based on solid intelligence. It is the insincerity of some importers and agents that often necessitates such enforcement actions,” he said.
Shuaibu also revealed that the unit is working to improve collaboration with other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, to boost operational efficiency and intelligence sharing. He reiterated his resolve to consolidate the unit’s previous gains while building stronger synergy with relevant stakeholders to foster trade compliance and economic security.
In his remarks, President of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), Moses Ebosele, commended the Customs unit for its consistent efforts in intercepting illicit goods and safeguarding the Nigerian economy. He pledged continued media support in enlightening the public on the critical role of Customs in national development.
