The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, a specialized arm of Customs in Ikeja, has seized a Duty Paid Value (DPV) worth over N187 million.
The Controller, FOU Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Sani Madugu confirmed this to Journalist on fact-finding mission, describing officers and men of the Unit as “a bunch of highly dedicated and committed officers”, physically and spiritually in tune with him, to make the Season, a black Yuletide, for smugglers.
“The command is leaving no stone unturned in the campaign against smuggling. Our approach is aimed at blocking the supply chains of smugglers of unaccustomed goods and ensuring a sustained suppression of smuggling to the barest minimum”, he highlighted, showing off newly impounded 10,029 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, Valued at N50,145,000; with a Payable Duty of  N15,043,500, bringing the DPV to N65,188,500.00.
The command also made a seizure of 3,470 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products Valued at N15, 615,000.00; with a Payable Duty of N3, 123,000.00; and a DPV of N18, 738,000.00 only.
Two vehicles Valued at N70,000,000 were also confiscated, with a Payable Duty of N24,500,000; bringing the DPV to  N94,500,000.
In addition to these, the command also recorded a seizure of 334 bales of new and 54 bales of used textile materials, Valued at N5,280,000; with a Payable Duty of N1,056,000; thereby bringing the DPV to N6,336,000.
Similarly, 31 cartons of assorted soap and detergents Valued at N124, 000.00; with a Payable Duty of N24,800.00; and bringing the DPV to N148,000.00 only; followed by 178 cartons of sugar, Valued at N712,000; with a Payable Duty of N142,400.00, bringing the DPV to N854,400.00.
“We are determined to restore and re-enact the operational sagacity which the Unit is known for”, he told newsmen, attributing the successes recorded in the past one week to the synergy and collaboration between his team leaders, noting their “deep commitment, impressive antecedents and pedigree”, as he called attention to impounded 140 packs of Bonita spaghetti Valued at N140, 000; with a Payable Duty of N28, 000.00 and a Duty Paid Value of N168, 000 only.
The one-week list of seizures also included 70 cartons of Baron wine Valued at N260,000.00; with a Payable Duty of N52,000.00 and a DPV of N312,000; alongside 3o cartons of tomato pure Valued at N90,000.with a Payable Duty of N18,000 and a DPV of  N108,000.; thus bringing the grand total of seizures value to  N142,991,000, with DPV of N187,103,700.00.
Besides these, the elated Controller also disclosed that his Surveillance team on the Idiroko axis, led by Chief Superintendent of Customs, Balogun Babatunde had just recorded a seizure of 1,289 bags of 50kg parboiled rice and a Toyota Avalon armored car with a DPV of N62,378,500.00; just as another patrol team monitoring  Idiroko ‘B’ Axis led by Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Ogundeyi Najim and others while on information patrol along Sango Ota and toll gate area of Ogun State intercepted a truck with registration no JJJ 966 XK suspected to be carrying smuggled frozen poultry products, which upon examination revealed 3,275 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products with a Duty Paid Value of N17,685,000.
“We are going to be more ruthless in the coming months to ensure that smuggled goods are not allowed to flood the country”, the command Boss promised newsmen, pledging to bring his several years of vast working experience as Commandant of the Customs College Ikeja to bear as he oversees  the busiest anti-smuggling Unit in the Country.
“We are also, going to continually develop appropriate operational templates which will be regularly reviewed and evaluated to ensure alliance with the change mantra of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his Management”, Sani Jubrin Madugu stated further.