The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dealt a significant blow to smuggling activities in the country, arresting 34 illegal migrants and seizing a large haul of contraband goods in November.
According to Deputy Comptroller Mohamed Shuaibu, Coordinator of the Joint Border Patrol Team, the seizures included 816 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 802 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and 285 bales of second-hand clothes. Other illicit items seized included 61 jumbo sacks of used shoes, 674kg of cannabis sativa, and eight used vehicles.

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Shuaibu attributed the success to enhanced patrols, sustained surveillance, and improved intelligence gathering along border corridors. He emphasized that smuggling and illegal migration pose significant threats to economic growth, national security, and public safety.
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of seizures in the past month stood at ₦556.43 million, with an additional ₦8.02 million generated from auction sales of PMS. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seized items, and the narcotics were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and action.
The NCS has reaffirmed its commitment to combating smuggling and protecting the nation’s economy and citizens from the far-reaching impacts of these crimes.