Comptroller Giwa Dauda Intensifies Effort On Anti-Smuggling Operations In CRS/CFTZ/AKS Command
By Asuquo Nuwak
Comptroller Giwa Dauda Intensifies Effort On Anti-Smuggling
Operations In CRS/CFTZ/AKS Command
••• Intercepts two 20-foot containers carrying 1,996 kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway on 14 June 2026, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N195.5 million.
As part of the ongoing efforts to safeguard local manufacturers from the adverse effects of smuggling and illegal importation, the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, intercepted prohibited imported goods valued at over N273 million in Cross River State.
The Customs Area Controller of Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, Comptroller Giwa Dauda announced this during a press briefing in Calabar recently.
He said the foreign refined vegetable oil which was intercepted during a routine patrol operation were concealed in a truck.
Accordingly, officers who were on routine patrol intercepted two 20-foot containers carrying 1,996 kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil concealed in a truck along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway recently, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N195.5 million.
Additionally, Comptroller Dauda pointed out that vegetable oil remains one of the products in which manufacturers have made significant investments.
He noted that allowing the import of prohibited foreign products into the domestic market, would undermine local production capacity, discourage investment, and threaten thousands of jobs across the agricultural and manufacturing value chains.
Still, he said that these products are listed under the Federal Government’s import prohibition policy, which seeks to stimulate local production, promote self-sufficiency, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.
Beyond the vegetable oil seizure, he said the command also intercepted 1,500 used tyres and 105 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing.
Official statement from the command said the total seizures of combined prohibited items stood at N273.7 million.
Similarly, Comptroller Giwa Dauda further disclosed that officers intercepted 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), bringing the total volume of petrol seized by the command in 2026 to 5,760 litres.
According to official statement from the command, the product was subsequently disposed of in accordance with approved safety procedures, due to its highly combustible nature.
The Customs Area Controller also warned smugglers and economic saboteurs to desist from illegal importation activities, stressing that such practices weaken local industries, distort market competition, and undermine government efforts to achieving economic diversification through industrialisation.
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