“Deputy Comptroller records ₦6.19bn seizures, strengthens compliance checks and directs officers to block revenue leakages”
Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni has begun repositioning the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), towards stronger revenue protection, improved compliance and intelligence driven enforcement, following the recovery of ₦683.661 million within his first four weeks in office.
The recovery, alongside 195 interceptions of prohibited and restricted goods with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦6.194 billion, formed the highlights of his maiden press briefing in Ikeja, Lagos, on November 3, 2026.
Afeni assumed leadership of FOU Zone A on September 30, 2026, bringing to the strategic enforcement unit considerable experience from his previous assignment as Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko.
His appointment attracted expectations, particularly following his reported achievements in revenue generation, export facilitation and anti smuggling operations at Idiroko. His first operational scorecard now offers an indication of the priorities guiding his administration.
Beyond the seizure figures, the ₦683.661 million recovered through compliance checks, examination of import declarations, correction of under valuations and demand notices represents an important aspect of his early performance.
The distinction is significant. While the ₦6.194 billion represents the Duty Paid Value of intercepted goods, the ₦683.661 million reflects revenue recovered through interventions in the Customs assessment and compliance process.
For Afeni, the message appears clear: Customs performance should not be measured exclusively by the volume of contraband intercepted but also by the revenue government successfully collects through effective administration.
The Deputy Comptroller has consequently placed renewed emphasis on the responsibilities of officers involved in cargo examination, assessment, compliance monitoring and release procedures.
His engagement with leadership at various entry points, particularly Releasing Officers and Compliance Seats, underscores his determination to strengthen revenue consciousness across the operational structure.
He has urged officers to take their responsibilities seriously, stressing that government revenue must be jealously protected and that every legitimate Customs obligation must be properly assessed and collected.
The directive addresses a critical aspect of Customs administration. Revenue losses can occur through under declaration, incorrect classification, undervaluation, false documentation, misuse of concessions and other violations of import regulations.
Consequently, the ability to identify questionable declarations and prevent revenue leakages is as important as the interception of prohibited goods.
Afeni attributed the ₦683.661 million recovery to enhanced risk profiling, targeted examination of suspicious declarations, teamwork and improved collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
These measures suggest an operational approach that places greater emphasis on identifying irregularities within the clearance process before they translate into permanent losses for government.
Idiroko Record Raises Expectations
Afeni’s previous performance at Ogun I Area Command provides useful context for understanding the expectations surrounding his present assignment.
Between January and August 2026, the command generated ₦896.539 million against an assigned revenue target of ₦545.348 million.
It also processed 31,177 metric tonnes of exports valued at ₦4.64 billion on a Free on Board basis, compared with no recorded export activity during the corresponding period of 2025.
The command equally recorded 327 seizures between December 4, 2025 and September 29, 2026, with a combined DPV of approximately ₦14.75 billion.
The intercepted items included foreign parboiled rice, petroleum products, illicit drugs, arms and ammunition, endangered wildlife and other prohibited imports.
These figures reflected an operational strategy that combined revenue mobilisation, border security, enforcement and the facilitation of legitimate commercial activities.
His experience at Idiroko is particularly relevant to FOU Zone A, where the scale of operations requires a broader understanding of the relationship between Customs enforcement and economic development.
Afeni has also inherited an established enforcement structure from his predecessor, retired Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, whose tenure produced significant operational results.
At the September 30 handover ceremony, Aliyu disclosed that the Unit recovered ₦3,192,511,547.52 between December 10, 2025 and September 24, 2026, representing 798 per cent of its ₦400 million annual revenue recovery target.
The Unit also recorded 779 interceptions involving goods with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦13.075 billion.
The figures represent the achievements of the previous administration and provide an important performance benchmark for the new leadership.
Afeni’s immediate responsibility is therefore to consolidate the existing operational framework, improve its efficiency and strengthen the integration of revenue recovery into the Unit’s enforcement activities.
His first four weeks suggest that revenue protection will occupy a central position in that process.
Beyond revenue recovery, the November 3 briefing revealed the scale of the security, economic and public health challenges associated with smuggling.
Among the major interceptions were 5,986 parcels of Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica weighing 3,407.83 kilogrammes, 400 grammes of cocaine and 100 grammes of methamphetamine.
The Unit also intercepted 57 cartons, 37 packs and six pieces of codeine syrup, alongside 1,250 rounds of 12 calibre Red Star cartridges.
Another significant interception involved 23,220 pieces of new machetes imported without the required End User Certificates and permits.
Afeni expressed concern over the possible security implications of the consignment, particularly as the country approaches another electoral cycle.
He warned that the illegal importation of potentially dangerous materials could provide support for organised violence and other criminal activities.
“Election violence is rarely an isolated incident but facilitated and aided by smuggling activities like the one thwarted by our operatives,” he said.
The Deputy Comptroller also highlighted the dangers associated with illicit drugs, citing the 2025 World Drug Report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which identifies cannabis as the most widely available and commonly used illicit drug globally.
He expressed concern about the increasing potency of some cannabis varieties, particularly the strain popularly known as Colorado, warning that drug abuse continues to undermine the future of young Nigerians and place additional pressure on families and the healthcare system.
Afeni summarised his enforcement philosophy with a declaration that places public safety above the monetary value of seizures.
“We will not measure our success by how much we seize, but by how much harm we prevent,” he said.
Other interceptions during the reporting period included eight live pangolins, 21 foreign used vehicles, 11 means of conveyance and a 40 foot container, numbered SEGU 5347239, containing 2,760 pieces of office chairs in completely knocked down condition.
The Unit also intercepted 173 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, 6,949 cartons of smuggled spaghetti, 459 bales and 39 jumbo sacks of second hand clothing, 1,236 used tyres, 33 used rims and 8,025 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Food related seizures included 3,028 bags of 50kg imported rice, 995 bags of 25kg, 104 bags of 20kg and 207 bags of 5kg rice.
Other items included 101 bags of imported sugar weighing 50kg each, eight bags of imported creamer powdered milk, 12 bags of grain oat products, 20 cartons of couscous and 250 cartons of Lotus sardines without NAFDAC registration numbers.
The variety of intercepted goods highlights the extensive nature of smuggling activities and their implications for domestic industries, public health, national security and legitimate businesses.
Afeni’s approach also places considerable emphasis on intelligence gathering and inter agency cooperation.
On October 14, he commenced a familiarisation tour of strategic security and law enforcement agencies in Lagos, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army’s 81 Division, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Immigration Service and 9 Brigade.
The engagements were aimed at strengthening intelligence sharing, information exchange and joint operations against smuggling and other trans border crimes.
At his maiden briefing, he reaffirmed the Unit’s collaboration with the NDLEA, Police, DSS, Immigration Service, Nigerian Army, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.
He explained that intercepted narcotics and suspects would be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while other prohibited items would be transferred to the appropriate agencies in line with their statutory responsibilities.
The handover of illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products valued at ₦511.4 million to the NDLEA and NAFDAC following an October interception illustrates the importance of such institutional collaboration.
The rescue of eight live pangolins in two separate operations in Ogun State also demonstrates the Unit’s wider responsibility for environmental protection and the enforcement of laws against wildlife trafficking.
However, Afeni’s emerging revenue strategy will require more than increased seizures and stronger enforcement operations. It will also depend on administrative discipline, professional accountability and constructive engagement with legitimate businesses.
FOU Zone A operates within a complex commercial environment involving importers, licensed Customs agents, manufacturers, transport operators and other stakeholders.
His commitment to firm but lawful enforcement, respect for human dignity and engagement with compliant businesses provides an important framework for balancing enforcement with trade facilitation.
Releasing Officers must ensure that consignments meet the relevant regulatory requirements, while compliance personnel must carefully scrutinise declarations and assessments.
Supervisory officers also have a responsibility to ensure that established procedures are followed and that administrative weaknesses do not create opportunities for revenue losses.
At the same time, legitimate businesses must not be subjected to unnecessary restrictions or delays in the course of Customs operations.
Afeni has assured importers, licensed Customs agents and the trading public that the Unit will continue to distinguish between legitimate trade and fraudulent practices.
His position is that compliant businesses will receive the necessary support, while duty evasion, falsification of declarations and other economic offences will attract appropriate enforcement action.
The long term measure of Afeni’s leadership will ultimately depend on his ability to translate the early results into sustainable institutional improvements.
The ₦683.661 million recovered within four weeks is significant, just as the 195 interceptions with a combined DPV of ₦6.194 billion demonstrate an active enforcement posture.
However, the more enduring test will be whether the Unit can reduce revenue leakages, improve compliance, strengthen intelligence gathering and ensure that enforcement activities support legitimate economic activities.
This expectation aligns with the broader modernisation and revenue objectives of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who has consistently emphasised improved institutional performance, professionalism and the protection of Nigeria’s economic interests.
For Afeni, achieving these objectives at FOU Zone A will require consistency, effective supervision, measurable targets and the commitment of officers across the operational chain.
His previous record at Ogun I provides a useful indication of his experience in managing the competing demands of revenue generation, enforcement and trade facilitation.
FOU Zone A, however, presents a considerably wider responsibility, requiring a leadership approach that looks beyond seizures to the efficiency of the entire Customs revenue collection process.
The emerging direction of his administration suggests an effort to make revenue consciousness, operational discipline and intelligence led enforcement complementary pillars of performance.
Ultimately, the success of the assignment will not be determined by the number of seizures announced or the warnings issued to officers, but by the Unit’s ability to prevent smuggling, close revenue loopholes, protect legitimate businesses and improve government earnings.
For Afeni, the challenge is clear: FOU Zone A must not only keep smugglers at bay; it must also ensure that Nigeria Customs Service collects every revenue legally due to the Federal Government.