The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, has announced the interception of 3,500 bags of foreign parboiled rice—equivalent to six trailer loads—alongside other contraband items valued at ₦1.7 billion within the last four weeks.
The Acting Controller of the Unit, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed this during a media briefing at the FOU headquarters in Lagos. He revealed that the seizures were made across various strategic locations within the zone, owing to intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations.
According to Ejibunu, the seized goods include smuggled rice, vehicles, petroleum products, poultry products, used clothing, and unregistered pharmaceutical items, all of which pose economic and health risks to the country.
“These seizures reflect our unwavering commitment to national economic security and the protection of local industries. Smuggling remains a serious challenge, but we continue to deploy strategic enforcement measures to combat the menace,” he said.
He further stated that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures, and investigations are ongoing to determine their level of involvement and possible prosecution.
Ejibunu urged the public to support the efforts of the Customs Service by providing credible information and avoiding engagement in economic sabotage, reiterating the agency’s readiness to enforce Nigeria’s trade and importation laws.
The Customs boss emphasized that the Unit remains vigilant and committed to curbing illicit trade in line with the directives of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.