Customs intensifies crackdown on smuggling in South West ....Intercepts N511m products

 Customs intensifies crackdown on smuggling  in South West 

....Intercepts N511m products 

The Nigeria Customs Service’s Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has intercepted illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products valued at N511.4 million and rescued eight live pangolins in separate anti-smuggling operations across the South-West. 

The operations were carried out under the leadership of the Acting Comptroller of the unit, Oladapo Afeni, who has intensified intelligence gathering, patrols and collaboration with other security agencies to tackle smuggling and related crimes in the region.

The seized drugs and pharmaceutical products were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and appropriate action.

The items included 121 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 65.9 kilogrammes, 100 grammes of crystal methamphetamine, 400 grammes of cocaine, 900 grammes of ground synthetic cannabis, 4.3 kilogrammes of hybrid cannabis and 57 cartons of codeine syrup.

Customs also handed over 86 packs of polythene bags allegedly used to conceal the substances, two vehicles — a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna — and two male suspects linked to separate interceptions.

According to the unit, one of the operations took place at about 1pm on October 10, 2026, when an intelligence-led patrol team intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus conveying suspected illicit drugs concealed in polythene bags along the Lagos-Benin Expressway around Ore, Ondo State.

The substances were subsequently examined and analysed by NDLEA officials, who confirmed their nature.

In another operation on October 7, Customs officers intercepted a vehicle along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and discovered 57 cartons of assorted brands of codeine syrup.

Representing Afeni during the handover, the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, attributed the seizures to sustained intelligence-driven operations across the unit’s area of responsibility.

He said the interceptions and transfer of the exhibits to the relevant agencies demonstrated the Customs Service’s commitment to protecting public health, securing the nation’s borders and supporting national security.

The unit’s enforcement activities have also extended to wildlife trafficking, with officers rescuing eight live pangolins in two separate operations in October.

On October 12, Customs officers intercepted three live pangolins during an anti-smuggling operation along Oyo Dam at Igbo-Ora. The animals were found inside a sack and concealed in a wire-mesh cage.

The suspected traffickers reportedly abandoned the animals and fled into a nearby swamp after sighting the officers.

In a second operation in the early hours of October 23, officers intercepted five more live pangolins confined in wire-mesh cages along the Igbo-Ora/Imeko-Afon axis.

The suspects allegedly abandoned the animals and escaped as the officers moved in.

The eight rescued pangolins were handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for safekeeping, rehabilitation and appropriate management, with the possibility of eventual release into a protected habitat.

Speaking on behalf of Afeni during the second handover, Oguntuase said the interception of two wildlife consignments within a short period required further investigation to identify and dismantle the networks behind the trade.

He reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to intelligence-led operations and cooperation with conservation agencies to enforce laws against wildlife trafficking.

As part of efforts to strengthen security cooperation, Afeni on October 14 began a familiarisation tour of sister security and law enforcement agencies in Lagos. 

The engagements focused on intelligence sharing, information exchange and joint operations to tackle smuggling, cross-border crimes and other security threats.

The agencies visited included the Lagos State Police Command, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army’s 81 Division headquarters, NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Army’s 9 Brigade in Ikeja. NigerianNews Updates

During his visit to the Lagos State Police Command, where he met the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, Afeni said Customs operations required close collaboration with other security institutions.

He also warned that the approach of an election period could create opportunities for criminal elements to engage in activities capable of triggering crises.

“We know that crime rates often increase as the country approaches the election period, as some people may attempt to take advantage of the period to perpetrate illicit activities capable of causing crises during the elections. Therefore, we are here to call for closer synergy so that these bad elements do not have their way,” he said.

Afeni said no security agency could effectively tackle complex criminal activities in isolation, stressing the need for sustained cooperation among institutions with complementary responsibilities.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police welcomed the engagement, describing the relationship between the police and other security agencies in the state as strong and productive despite the challenges posed by Lagos’s large population and complex security environment. BuyMaps

At the Nigerian Army’s 81 Division headquarters, the General Officer Commanding, Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola, also stressed the importance of joint operations against criminal activities. 

He cautioned against administrative bottlenecks that could undermine operational effectiveness.

Afeni said the FOU Zone A would sustain its patrols, intelligence-driven operations and cooperation with relevant agencies across its area of responsibility.

The unit said its enforcement activities were aimed at disrupting the movement of prohibited goods, protecting public health and government revenue, and tackling crimes that threaten national security and the environment.