CUSTOMS FOU ZONE ‘A’ : NEW DAWN FOR ANTI-SMUGGLING WAR IN SOUTH-WEST
By Trek Africa Newspaper
A new era has dawned at the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service, following the assumption of duty of Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Oladapo Afeni as Acting Controller.
DC Afeni, a seasoned enforcement czar and trade facilitation expert with a track record of integrity and results-driven leadership, has hit the ground running, unveiling a strategic blueprint to reposition the Unit for greater operational efficiency.
FOU Zone ‘A’, widely regarded as the engine room of Customs enforcement in Nigeria, held its maiden strategic engagement recently with maritime stakeholders in the South-West corridor at its conference hall in Ikeja on October 2, 2026, followed days later with a major wildlife trafficking interception.
Enforcement With Human Face
Addressing stakeholders at the engagement, Afeni said his administration would pursue firm, lawful enforcement that respects human dignity, while remaining unwavering in facilitating legitimate trade.
He said the Unit would be driven by constructive engagement with traders, manufacturers, importers, exporters, licensed Customs agents and other stakeholders.
He urged stakeholders to embrace honest declarations, stressing that voluntary compliance and transparency would reduce delays, disputes and bottlenecks in the clearance chain.
“The success of FOU Zone ‘A’ is a collective responsibility. We need the support of all stakeholders to succeed. When you declare honestly and comply voluntarily, you make our job easier and your business faster and more profitable,” Afeni said.
He assured of the Unit’s readiness to listen to genuine concerns, address operational challenges within its mandate and sustain professionalism.
Stakeholders who attended commended Afeni for creating a platform for robust interaction and pledged stronger cooperation to promote compliance and seamless trade.
Intercepts Three Live Pangolins
Barely a week after assumption of duty, Afeni’s team demonstrated its enforcement drive with the interception of three live pangolins along Oyo Dam at Igbo-Ora in Ogun State on October 12, 2026.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives intercepted a sack conveying the endangered species concealed in a wire mesh cage at about 0905hrs. On sighting the patrol team, the suspected traffickers abandoned the consignment and fled into the surrounding swamp.
The operation was confirmed in a statement by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, Hussein Abdullahi.
Represented by Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, Afeni described the seizure as a significant milestone in the sustained campaign against wildlife trafficking and transnational organized crime.
He commended operatives for their vigilance, noting that the operation underscored the Unit’s resolve to protect Nigeria’s biodiversity and disrupt criminal networks exploiting borders and waterways.
Pangolins are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, and their illegal trade remains a serious threat to conservation. The Service warned that smuggling or commercialisation of endangered species attracts prosecution and severe penalties.
The three rescued pangolins have been handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for safekeeping, rehabilitation and appropriate management.
Afeni warned smugglers and their collaborators that FOU Zone ‘A’ will intensify patrols, intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to securing Nigeria’s borders and protecting endangered species.
Afeni’s Presence Destabilizes Smugglers
Observers say news of Afeni’s deployment to FOU Zone ‘A’ has sent negative signals to economic saboteurs operating in the South-West.
The deployment is seen as a deliberate move by the Adewale Adeniyi-led management to boost the fight against smuggling.
Afeni had earlier been given the opportunity to prove his mettle when he was elevated from Compliance Seat at FOU Lagos to head the Ogun 1 Customs Command, Idiroko, on December 4, 2025, with a mandate to arrest smuggling, recover lost revenue and make the border friendly for legitimate business.
At Idiroko, his success was described as “one-week-one-trouble” for illicit traders. Officers were highly motivated through sporting activities, health and wellness initiatives and purposeful leadership that drew tears when news of his redeployment filtered.
Under him, Ogun 1 Command generated N896.5 million in revenue and seizures worth over N14.7 billion Duty Paid Value, DPV.
Sources say since taking over at FOU Zone ‘A’, Afeni has blocked identified smuggling routes in the region, sending die-hard smugglers into hiding. Some unpatriotic releasing officers at port commands in Lagos are reportedly in panic mode.
His immediate predecessor, Comptroller Aliyu Gambo (rtd), described Afeni as the most competent, most disciplined and most loyal officer capable of policing the South-West against smuggling.
Afeni has pledged to pursue intelligence-led enforcement, block revenue leakages and protect Nigeria’s economic and security interests.
Push For Inter-Agency Synergy
In furtherance of this, Afeni has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, particularly as the country approaches another election period.
He made the call during familiarisation visits to sister agencies in Lagos, which commenced on October 14, 2026.
The visits took him to the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja; Department of State Services, DSS; 81 Division, Nigerian Army; NDLEA Strategic Command; Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS; and 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja.
The visits were aimed at strengthening institutional relationships and identifying areas of collaboration in intelligence sharing, joint operations and law enforcement.
At the Police Headquarters, Afeni was received by Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, where he stressed the need for coordinated operations to prevent criminal elements from exploiting the election period.
“We know that crime rates often increase as the country approaches the election period, as some people may attempt to take advantage of the period to perpetrate illicit activities capable of causing crisis during the elections. Therefore, we are here to call for closer synergy so that these bad elements do not have their way,” Afeni said.
He noted that no agency can discharge its responsibilities in isolation.
Responding, CP Fatai said Lagos has a very strong and robust relationship among security agencies despite its huge population.
At 81 Division, GOC Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola underscored the importance of joint operations and cautioned against bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Other agencies reaffirmed commitment to cooperation with Customs.
N511.4m Drugs Seized, Handed To NDLEA, NAFDAC
Meanwhile, FOU Zone ‘A’ has transferred seized illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products valued at N511.4 million to the NDLEA and NAFDAC.
The handover took place on October 16, 2026, at the Unit’s headquarters in Ikeja.
Exhibits comprised 121 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 65.9kg, 100g of crystal methamphetamine, 400g of cocaine, 900g of ground synthetic cannabis, 4.3kg of hybrid cannabis, 86 packs of polythene bags used to conceal drugs, and 57 cartons of codeine syrup. Two vehicles, a Toyota Hiace bus and Toyota Sienna, and two suspects were also transferred.
Speaking, Oguntuase said the seizures were products of sustained intelligence-led operations.
He disclosed that at about 1300hrs on October 10, a patrol team acting on intelligence intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus along Lagos-Benin Expressway around Ore, Ondo State, conveying suspected illicit drugs concealed in polythene bags, confirmed by NDLEA.
In another operation at about 1407hrs on October 7, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, officers intercepted 57 cartons of codeine syrup.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in its mandate to protect the nation’s borders, safeguard public health and support national security,” Oguntuase said.
Receiving the exhibits, Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Ganiyu Bolaji, who represented the Commander, NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command, commended FOU Zone ‘A’ for inter-agency cooperation and assured that exhibits and suspects would be handled according to law.
Similarly, Mrs Edith, Deputy Director in charge of Pharmaceuticals, who received the codeine syrup on behalf of NAFDAC’s Director of Enforcement, praised the Unit and reaffirmed sustained collaboration against illicit and substandard pharmaceuticals.
With Afeni at the helm, stakeholders say FOU Zone ‘A’ is set for a paradigm shift, firm but fair enforcement, improved compliance and enhanced trade facilitation to boost national revenue and economic growth.
