The Nigeria Customs Service insists that it has drastically reduced smugglers’ activities in the South-west region through its onslaught against economic sabotage using its ‘Swift Sting Operation’ tactic
In its resolve and determination to checkmate anti-smuggling activities in the Southwest, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos has disclosed how its tactical operation code-named ‘Swift Sting Operation’ has started yielding positive results.
Controller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, gave the hint at a media briefing on the activities of the unit between December 25, 2024 and February 4, 2025 at the Ikeja office of the FOU in Lagos.
In his maiden briefing for the year titled: Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Records Giant Stride In Anti- Smuggling Activities and Revenue Generation From December 25, 2024 to February 4, 2025, he commended the unit’s intelligence network for its immense contribution to its success as well as the collaboration of relevant security agencies which has recorded remarkable success in its anti-smuggling campaign.
“During the period under review, our men exhibited strict professional conduct and relentless effort in enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 as it relates to Import, Export, Revenue, Security of lives and properties across the Borders of the South Western States,” he said.
Oladeji explained that items arrested for investigation within the period include 3,031 bags of 50kg each of foreign parboiled rice with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N387.9 million; 2,725 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,378kg with DPV of N218 million; 397 kegs of premium motor spirit with DPV of N1.5 million and 118 cartons of frozen poultry products with DPV of N2.8 million.
Others are 105 bales of second hand clothing with DPV of N12.6 million; 21 vehicles with DPV of N561.3 million and 4,410 units of dry donkey skins with a street value of N4.235 billion, all amounting to a DPV of N5.420 billion.
He said: “A very peculiar arrest is the 1x40ft Container loaded with 4,410 of Dry Donkey Skin with a street value of N4.235 billion. I commend the Officer in charge of the Export Team for exhibiting a high level of diligence and integrity by rejecting every attempt made by faceless individuals to compromise the process.
“The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits Trade in vulnerable species. With the slaughtering of over Four Thousand Donkeys and attempt to smuggle them out of the Country, CITES has been violated and we shall investigate thoroughly to unmask the unscrupulous individuals behind this act.”
On revenue generation, Oladeji disclosed that through regular documentation checks and profiling of suspected irregular Import documents, the sum of N60.9 million was collected through issuance of Demand Notices (DNs).
“Our resolve and commitment to tame smuggling and illegal cross border movement of goods in 2025 has informed the adoption of measures and strategies, including improvement on existing robust relationship with leaders of border communities and traditional rulers.
“We are deliberate in the creation of awareness and education of members of the public on the dangers of smuggling to the economy, as well as strict enforcement of the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023 and prosecution of offenders to show deterrence,” he stated.
He cautioned unscrupulous and unpatriotic individuals to engage in legitimate trade in 2025 as the FOU Zone ‘A’ on-going Swift Sting Operation will not spare all acts of Economic Sabotage in the New Year.
“As for legitimate Importers, Traders and Authorized Economic Operators (AEO), our doors are open for consultation and collaboration as we intend to re-engineer our trade facilitation systems in line with the Federal Government policy on ease of doing business.
“We thank our able Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for their unflinching support without which we would not have achieved this feat,” he said.
