The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, has intercepted prohibited goods worth 6.19 billion Naira, including 3.4 tonnes of cannabis and 23,220 new machetes, following four weeks of intensified anti-smuggling operations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Acting Comptroller of the unit, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during his maiden media briefing in Ikeja, Lagos, saying operatives recorded 195 seizures involving prohibited and restricted goods across the unit’s area of responsibility.
According to Afeni, the intercepted items had a combined Duty Paid Value of 6,194,695,947 Naira and 5 Kobo.
The largest seizures included 5,986 parcels of cannabis weighing 3,407.83 kilogrammes, 23,220 pieces of new machetes and 1,250 rounds of 12-calibre ammunition.
Customs operatives also intercepted 400 grammes of cocaine, 100 grammes of methamphetamine, codeine syrup and eight live pangolins.
Other seized goods included 21 foreign-used vehicles, 3,028 bags of 50kg imported rice, 6,949 cartons of spaghetti, 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, 1,236 used tyres and 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
The operation also uncovered 250 cartons of sardines without National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control registration numbers, alongside imported sugar, powdered milk, second-hand clothing and other restricted products.
Afeni expressed concern over the quantity of machetes intercepted, noting that the unauthorised movement of such items could pose security risks as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
He warned that smuggling networks could facilitate the movement of dangerous items capable of undermining public safety and disrupting peaceful electoral processes.
However, the Customs disclosure did not establish that the seized machetes were intended for electoral violence.
Beyond the seizures, the unit recovered 683.66 million Naira in government revenue between September 30 and November 3, 2026, through compliance checks, scrutiny of import declarations, correction of under-valuations and the issuance of demand notices.
Afeni attributed the enforcement results to improved intelligence gathering, risk profiling, surveillance, targeted examination of suspicious consignments and collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies.
He said the unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while strengthening enforcement against smuggling, duty evasion and false import declarations.
The Customs Service also said seized narcotics and suspects would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution, while other prohibited items would be transferred to the relevant agencies.
The latest operation highlights the intersection between border enforcement, illicit trade and public security as preparations gradually build towards Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
