The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, has intercepted prohibited imported goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N273.6 million in a renewed crackdown against smuggling and illicit trade activities.
The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Momodu Dauda, disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday where he outlined the achievements recorded through anti-smuggling operations within the command’s area of responsibility.
According Dauda, the seizures were made during intelligence-driven patrols and enforcement operations aimed at protecting the national economy and enforcing government trade policies.
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He explained that on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m., officers of the command intercepted a truck conveying two 20-foot containers along the Odukpani–Calabar Highway.
Upon examination, the containers were found to contain about 1,996 kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil of 25 litres each.
He disclosed that the seized vegetable oil had a Duty Paid Value of N195,499,248.
In addition to the vegetable oil, the command also intercepted 1,500 imported used tyres of various brands as well as 105 jumbo-sized rolls of second-hand clothing.
According to the command, the imported used tyres had a Duty Paid Value of N61,392,713, while the second-hand clothing was valued at N15,632,060.
Comptroller Dauda further revealed that officers of the command earlier intercepted about 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with a Duty Paid Value of N1,152,000.
He noted that the latest seizure brought the cumulative volume of PMS intercepted by the command in 2026 to approximately 5,760 litres.
The Customs boss stated that the seized petroleum products had already been disposed of in line with safety protocols due to their highly combustible nature.
According to him, the seized items are classified under the Federal Government’s Import Prohibition List and therefore remain illegal for importation into Nigeria.
He explained that the interceptions were made in line with the provisions of Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and other applicable trade regulations governing prohibited imports.
Comptroller Dauda emphasized that the restrictions on such imports are designed to protect public health, preserve environmental standards, encourage local industrial growth and safeguard domestic manufacturers from unfair foreign competition.
“The total Duty Paid Value of the seized items is estimated at Two hundred and Seventy-three million, six hundred and seventy-six thousand, and twenty-one naira,” he stated.
The Area Controller described the seizures as a reflection of the command’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy, supporting local industries and preventing the unlawful importation of prohibited goods into the country.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing strategic leadership and operational support that continue to strengthen enforcement and intelligence operations across Customs commands nationwide.
Dauda warned individuals and groups involved in smuggling activities to desist from acts capable of sabotaging the nation’s economy, stressing that the Service would continue to intensify intelligence-led operations and border enforcement measures.
He further called on members of the public to support the Nigeria Customs Service by providing timely and credible information capable of assisting authorities in combating illicit trade and economic crimes.
The Customs Area Controller reiterated the commitment of the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command toward suppressing smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade, protecting national security and contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.