Customs moves to protect local industry, seizes smuggled vegetable oil worth ₦403.5m

In a major anti-smuggling operation by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, over 3,310 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil were seized with a Duty Paid Value of ₦403.5 million, dealing a significant blow to illicit trade networks.

At a press briefing on Monday, 15 June 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, by the unit head, Comptroller of Customs, Bishir Balogun, the seizure followed strategic intelligence coordination and sustained enforcement efforts by the Unit’s officers.

According to him, the seized items comprise 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.

He disclosed that operatives intercepted one of the trucks at about 10pm on 9 May 2026 along the 9th Mile axis in Enugu State, while another was apprehended on 7 June 2026 along the Onitsha–Agbor Highway following credible intelligence, with a total Duty Paid Value of ₦403,491,000.

“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,” he said.

“Let me emphasise that the operation demonstrates the Service’s firm commitment to enforcing the NCS Act 2023 and the Federal Government’s fiscal and protective measures that prohibit the importation of foreign vegetable oil,” Balogun added.

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

Comptroller Balogun further disclosed that the seized vegetable oil remains in Customs custody pending the conclusion of investigations and the commencement of appropriate legal proceedings.