FOU Zone C Deals Blow to Smugglers, Seizes Vegetable Oil Valued at ₦403.5m

Victoria Silvanus


The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, has seized smuggled vegetable oil valued at over ₦403.5 million in a major anti-smuggling operation aimed at protecting local industries and strengthening the nation's economy.

The seizure was announced by the Comptroller of Customs and Officer in Charge of FOU Zone C, Bishir Balogun, during a press briefing held on Monday in Owerri, Imo State.

According to the Area Controller, the operation was driven by strategic intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, and sustained enforcement efforts by officers of the Unit.

The seized products include 3,310 jerrycans of 25-litre "Super Delicious" vegetable oil, 10 jerrycans of 10-litre "Super Delicious" vegetable oil, 20 cartons of 5-litre sunflower vegetable oil, and 20 cartons of 3-litre sunflower vegetable oil.

Balogun disclosed that one of the trucks conveying the contraband was intercepted at about 10 p.m. on May 9, 2026, along the 9th Mile axis in Enugu State, while another was apprehended on June 7, 2026, along the Onitsha–Agbor Highway following credible intelligence.
He stated that the seized items have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦403,491,000.

Describing the seizure as a major success in the fight against smuggling, the Customs Comptroller said the operation dealt a significant blow to economic saboteurs whose activities undermine local production and economic growth.

“This seizure represents a major blow to economic saboteurs whose illegal importation of foreign vegetable oil undermines local industry, technology transfer, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings,” Balogun said.

He emphasized that the operation reflects the Service's commitment to enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Federal Government's fiscal policies designed to protect local manufacturers from unfair competition.

Balogun further warned individuals and criminal syndicates involved in smuggling activities to desist from such illegal acts, stressing that the Service would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to safeguard public health, national security, and the domestic economy.

According to him, the seized vegetable oil remains in Customs custody pending the conclusion of investigations and the commencement of appropriate legal proceedings.

The latest seizure underscores the Nigeria Customs Service's resolve to combat smuggling, support indigenous industries, and ensure compliance with government trade policies aimed at promoting economic development and job creation.

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