Customs intercept six trailers of rice, others

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja said it intercepted 3,500 bags of foreign parboiled rice equivalent to six trailer loads and other contrabands worth N1.7bn in the last four weeks.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this while showcasing some of the seized contrabands at Ikeja on Friday.

He stressed that within the period under review, a total of 102 enforcement interventions were recorded, leading to the interception of a wide range of prohibited and smuggled goods.

Giving details of the seizures, Adeniyi added that other contrabands seized within the period under review, include “304kg of cannabis sativa, 7,900 liters of Premium Motor Spirit, 54 bags and 20 bales of used clothing, 41 sacks and bags of used footwear, 14 units of used vehicles, 148 pieces of used tyres, 42 used gas cylinders, 31 units of air conditioning systems, 95 cartons of frozen poultry products.”

He added that other notable seizures include a 40ft container with a container fully loaded with used tyres, with one 20ft container containing medications.

“Others were two 40ft containers and a truck with a container body conveying used fridges, foreign supermarket items, and used clothes. The duty paid value of all intercepted items stands at N1.78b,” Adeniyi said.

Adeniyi explained that in addition to the enforcement duties, the unit also ensured compliance with import and export regulations.

We have continued to scrutinize questionable declarations, correct under-valuations, and issue demand notices where appropriate. Between June 3rd and July 18th, 2025, the unit recovered a total of N95.5m in underpaid duties,” he added.

He maintained that all the containers were wrongly declared to invade duties.

The CGC emphasised that there were a total of nine suspects arrested in connection with these seizures.

Adeniyi stressed that while some were granted administrative bail, others have been, or will be, handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He stressed that the unit remains committed to executing its mandate with the utmost professionalism and in strict adherence to extant regulations.

“Our operations are conducted with restraint, respect for human rights, and a commitment to peaceful enforcement,” the CGC said.

He said the unit remains a strong partner in trade facilitation.

We continue to support legitimate trade through intelligence-driven operations that strike a balance between security enforcement and economic growth ensuring that lawful traders are not unduly hindered in the process,” he said

Meanwhile, Adeniyi added that Operation Whirlwind Zone A, acting on credible intelligence and in line with the service’s renewed mandate, successfully intercepted a total of, “1,134 jerricans of 25liters/30liters respectively and 33 drums of PMS amounting to a volume of 35,535 liters, at various notorious smuggling flashpoints within Ajilete Axis, Ijoun Axis, Ilaro Axis, Badagry Axis, Owode Idiroko Axis, Eree Ado-Odo, and Obada Imeko Axis.”

He maintained that the products, carefully concealed and being prepared for illegal export to the neighboring Republic of Benin were intercepted along with six vehicles used as means of conveyance.

“The value of the intercepted petroleum products and the conveying vehicles amounts to N58.3m,” he said.

Adeniyi highlighted that the arrests and seizures underscore the strategic efficiency and operational dexterity of the unit’s anti-smuggling units.

“It is also a clear indication of the resolve of the NCS to clamp down on economic saboteurs whose actions threaten national energy security and undermine the policies of the Federal Government,” Adeniyi added.