The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri has intercepted two trucks laden with 3,310 jerrycans (kegs) of 25-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil and 10 jerrycans (kegs) of 10-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil in Enugu.
It added that 20 cartons of 5-litre sunflower vegetable oil and 20 cartons of 3-litre sunflower vegetable oil were confiscated from smugglers on Onisha-Agbor highway.
The unit’s Controller, Comptroller Bishir Balogun explained on Monday that the seizure was the result of strategic intelligence coordination and coordinated operational activity by officers of the Unit.
He noted: ” Our operatives intercepted two trucks carrying the consignment at about 2200hrs of 9th May along the 9th miles in Enugu and another one along Onisha Agbor highway on the 7th of June 2026 following credible intelligence.
“The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items is Four hundred and three million, four hundred and ninety-one thousand naira only (N403,491,000.00).”
Balogun said that the seizures represent a major blow to economic saboteurs, whose illegal importation of foreign vegetable oil undermines local industry, technology transfer, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings.
The comptroller stressed that the confiscated jerrycans and cartons were in Customs custody as investigations continue and appropriate legal processes commence.
He noted: “Let me emphasized that the operation demonstrates the Service’s firm commitment to enforcing the NCS Act 2022 (as amended) and the Federal Government’s fiscal and protective measures that prohibit the importation of foreign vegetable oil.
“I urged those engaged in smuggling and related criminal networks to cease their activities and warned that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to deploy intelligence-led strategies to protect public health, national security, and the domestic economy.”