By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, has recorded a major enforcement breakthrough with the seizure of over 3,300 jerrycans and cartons of smuggled vegetable oil valued at N403.49 million.
The seizure, which followed intelligence-driven operations conducted across parts of the South-East and South-South regions, dealt a significant blow to smuggling networks involved in the illegal importation and distribution of prohibited vegetable oil products into the country.
Speaking on the development in a statement issued on Sunday, the Comptroller of FOU Zone C, Bishir Balogun, disclosed that Customs operatives intercepted two trucks carrying the contraband following credible intelligence.
According to him, one of the trucks was intercepted along the 9th Mile axis in Enugu State on May 9, 2026, while another was intercepted on June 7, 2026, along the Onitsha-Agbor Highway.
A breakdown of the seized items showed that Customs operatives recovered 3,310 jerrycans of 25-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil, 10 jerrycans of 10-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil, 20 cartons of five-litre sunflower vegetable oil, and another 20 cartons of three-litre sunflower vegetable oil.
Balogun stated that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized goods stood at N403,491,000.
He described the operation as a testament to the Service’s growing reliance on intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and strategic enforcement in combating smuggling activities across the country.
“This seizure represents a major blow to economic saboteurs whose illegal importation of foreign vegetable oil undermines local industry, technology transfer, job creation and foreign exchange earnings,” Balogun said.
The Comptroller noted that the importation of foreign vegetable oil remains prohibited under existing fiscal and trade policies of the Federal Government aimed at protecting domestic industries and encouraging local production.
According to him, unchecked smuggling of vegetable oil not only weakens investments in the local edible oil sector but also threatens jobs across the agricultural value chain, discourages industrial expansion and reduces the competitiveness of indigenous manufacturers.
Industry stakeholders have repeatedly argued that the influx of smuggled products into the Nigerian market creates unfair competition for local producers who comply with regulatory requirements, pay taxes and employ thousands of Nigerians.
Balogun stressed that the latest seizure underscores the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2022 (as amended) and supporting government policies designed to stimulate economic growth and industrial development.
He further warned individuals and criminal networks engaged in smuggling activities to desist from such acts, stressing that the Service would continue to deploy intelligence-led operations and advanced enforcement strategies to curb economic crimes.
“The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to deploy intelligence-led strategies to protect public health, national security and the domestic economy,” he said.
The Customs boss added that investigations into the seizure are ongoing and that the Service would pursue all necessary legal processes against those found culpable.
The intercepted vegetable oil products remain in Customs custody pending the conclusion of investigations and subsequent actions in line with extant laws.
The latest seizure comes amid renewed efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service to strengthen border surveillance, disrupt smuggling routes and enhance compliance with import regulations, particularly on items placed on the Federal Government’s import prohibition list.
Analysts say sustained enforcement actions against smuggling are critical to protecting local industries, boosting government revenue and promoting self-sufficiency in key sectors of the economy.
