By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted illicit drugs with a total value of N3.95 billion and arrested three suspects in sustained anti-smuggling operations conducted over a four-month period.
The seizures were disclosed on Thursday, September 3, 2026, by the Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, during a press conference held at the unit’s headquarters on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
The event also featured the formal handover of the seized narcotics to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while four cylinders of high-grade mercury intercepted by the unit were transferred to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for regulatory action.
According to Aliyu, the seizures were recorded during sustained anti-smuggling operations along border corridors, highways and other strategic locations within the unit’s area of responsibility.
He said the enforcement operations were targeted at drug trafficking syndicates operating across the zone and resulted in the recovery of substantial quantities of narcotics and other controlled substances.
Giving a breakdown of the seized narcotics, Aliyu said the unit intercepted 5,669 parcels and 19 sacks of synthetic strain cannabis sativa weighing 3,116.9kg.
Other seizures included three and a half packs of ground cannabis, commonly known as skunk, weighing 3.45kg; two packs of granular cannabis weighing 1kg; and 11 small packs of granular cannabis weighing 0.35kg.
The unit also seized 24 packets of Backwoods Russian Cream cigars weighing 0.5 grammes, 49 wraps of cannabis skunk weighing 26.1kg and one wrap of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg.
In addition to the narcotics, Customs officers intercepted 1,754 packs and 6,948 sachets of 225mg and 100mg Tramadol tablets, 1,200 Hypnox 1mg tablets and 97 bottles of Codeine syrup.
The illicit drugs, with a total value of N3,951,085,000, were handed over to the NDLEA alongside the three suspects for further investigation and prosecution.
Receiving the items on behalf of the NDLEA, the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Lagos State Command, J.E. Akogwu, formally took custody of the seized narcotics and suspects.
Aliyu said the seizure demonstrated the importance of sustained collaboration between Customs and other security and regulatory agencies in tackling smuggling and trans-border criminal activities.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this important handover of seized illicit goods by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, of the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.
According to him, the operation was a demonstration of the Customs Service’s commitment to national security, public health, environmental safety and the economic well-being of Nigerians.
He said the movement of cannabis sativa and other controlled substances across the country posed serious threats to public health and national security, particularly because of their impact on young people.
“The illicit movement of cannabis sativa and other controlled substances poses a serious threat to public health, national security and the future of our young people. Such substances fuel addiction, criminality, violence and other social problems,” Aliyu said.
He added that the NCS would continue to strengthen the integrity of the supply chain and support the NDLEA by disrupting the movement of narcotics and other illicit goods across the nation’s borders.
“We are equally committed to providing relevant information and supporting further investigation whenever necessary,” he said.
The Customs boss explained that the transfer of the seized narcotics to the NDLEA would enable the agency to undertake the necessary forensic, investigative and prosecutorial processes in accordance with the law.
He said it would also ensure that the seized substances were properly stored, handled and eventually disposed of in a secure and professionally regulated manner.
Beyond the drug seizures, the FOU Zone ‘A’ also intercepted four cylinders of a chemical compound weighing 34.5kg each, identified as high-grade mercury.
The hazardous substance, which is commonly used in small-scale gold mining, poses significant environmental risks and is subject to international regulation under the Minamata Convention.
The four canisters, intercepted along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, were subsequently handed over to NESREA for appropriate regulatory handling.
Receiving the mercury on behalf of NESREA, its representative, David Vonkur, took custody of the seized hazardous substance.
Aliyu stressed that the complexity of contemporary smuggling and trans-border criminality required sustained cooperation among relevant government agencies.
“This event underscores the fact that no single agency can effectively confront the complex nature of contemporary smuggling and trans-border criminality alone,” he said.
“Our collaboration must therefore continue through information sharing, joint operations, coordinated intelligence, capacity building and prompt transfer of items that fall within the jurisdiction of partner agencies.”
