The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, has recorded a major anti-smuggling breakthrough with the seizure of a large consignment of foreign vegetable oil valued at N403.49 million. The operation underscores the Service’s intensified efforts to combat economic sabotage and protect local industries.
Comptroller Bishir Balogun, who disclosed the development in a statement, said the seizure was achieved through intelligence-driven operations and strategic coordination by officers of the Unit across key transit corridors in the South East.
According to him, operatives intercepted two trucks conveying the contraband goods at different locations following credible intelligence. One of the trucks was intercepted around 10 p.m. on May 9, 2026, along the Ninth Mile axis in Enugu State, while the second was intercepted on June 7, 2026, along the Onitsha-Agbor highway.
Items seized 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.
The Customs Area Controller stated that the total Duty Paid Value of the seized products stands at N403,491,000, describing the interception as one of the Unit’s significant enforcement successes in recent times.
Balogun noted that the illegal importation of vegetable oil poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s economy by undermining local manufacturing, discouraging investment, limiting technology transfer opportunities, and affecting job creation across the agricultural and industrial value chains.
He further stressed that smuggling activities erode government revenue and place undue pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange reserves, thereby weakening ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic production and economic sustainability.
The Comptroller reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to the strict enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2022 and existing Federal Government policies that prohibit the importation of foreign vegetable oil into the country.
He warned individuals and criminal networks involved in smuggling to desist from such activities, emphasizing that the Service would continue to deploy intelligence-led enforcement strategies to safeguard national security, public health, and economic interests.
Balogun added that the seized products remain under Customs custody while investigations continue. He assured that all necessary legal procedures would be pursued to ensure that those connected to the illicit importation face the full weight of the law.