Comptroller Gambo Aliyu has formally taken over leadership of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), pledging to intensify intelligence-led operations and dismantle sophisticated smuggling networks threatening Nigeria’s economy, public safety, and internal security.
Aliyu made the commitment on Wednesday in Ikeja, Lagos, during the official handover ceremony that marked the end of the tenure of his predecessor, Mohammed Shuaibu, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General. The ceremony was attended by senior officers of the service and key stakeholders from across the security and trade sectors.
In his remarks, Aliyu expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for the trust and responsibility placed in him, describing the appointment as both an honour and a serious duty to protect national economic interests. He commended Shuaibu for what he called “high-impact operational leadership,” noting that FOU Zone A recorded unprecedented enforcement successes under his watch.
According to official records, the unit carried out 476 interceptions within just seven months, leading to the seizure of 761 items with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) exceeding N10.151 billion. The seized consignments included 23,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice—equivalent to 38 trailer loads—98 used vehicles, 2,350 kilograms of cannabis, 1,820 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as well as 15 rifles and 4,841 rounds of live ammunition.
Further seizures included two industrial-grade drones, 25 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and four 50-kilogram cylinders containing Russian-origin military-grade explosives. The unit also secured N31 million in cash, which was subsequently forfeited to the Federal Government as part of legal enforcement procedures.
The enforcement drive also resulted in the arrest of 38 suspects connected to smuggling, drug trafficking, arms movement and petroleum product diversion. In addition, eight containers of expired pharmaceutical products valued at N7.5 billion were intercepted and handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for regulatory investigation and destruction.
Beyond physical seizures, FOU Zone A strengthened trade compliance by issuing demand notices over cases of under-declaration, false documentation and duty evasion, recovering a total of N419.2 million for the Federal Government during the period under review.
Aliyu, while acknowledging the strategic position of FOU Zone A as the Service’s most active enforcement formation, said the task ahead would demand discipline, professionalism and personal sacrifice from officers and men of the unit. He identified intelligence-led operations, technology-driven surveillance, and internal management reforms as the pillars that will shape his administration.
He stated that indiscipline, corruption and compromise would not be tolerated, stressing that every officer must uphold the integrity of the Nigeria Customs Service in the discharge of duty. He assured that operations under his leadership would be firm but fair, guided strictly by credible intelligence and the rule of law.
The new Comptroller also pledged to deepen collaboration with sister security agencies including the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Immigration Service, and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, noting that effective inter-agency coordination remains critical to disrupting trans-border criminal networks.
In addition, he promised stronger engagement with community leaders, transport unions, border communities and legitimate business operators, describing them as key partners in the fight against smuggling and economic sabotage. He emphasized that officers’ welfare, training and motivation would receive priority attention to sustain operational effectiveness.
Aliyu’s track record in previous assignments was also highlighted during the ceremony. As former Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command, he recorded a 17.5 percent increase in revenue performance, raising collections to N77.88 billion between January and October 2025. He also led enforcement operations that resulted in seizures valued at over N818 million, targeting illegal rice imports, fake and unregistered pharmaceutical products, diversion of petroleum products, and the importation of used and end-of-life tyres.
His tenure was marked by strengthened collaboration with agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Immigration Service, NAFDAC and other enforcement bodies, leading to improved border coordination and disruption of criminal supply chains operating across the South-West corridor.
The assumption of office by Aliyu signals a renewed phase of aggressive border policing, intelligence gathering and operational restructuring at FOU Zone A, as the Nigeria Customs Service recalibrates its strategy against smuggling, revenue leakages and organized cross-border crime.
