Customs unveils special operations to curb vegetable oil smuggling,

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is set to launch intelligence-driven special operations targeting the smuggling of vegetable oil into the country, as part of efforts to safeguard local investments, protect jobs, and strengthen the agricultural value chain.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday, June 5, 2026, during a stakeholder engagement with players in the vegetable oil industry at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.

Adeniyi said the Service is stepping up enforcement through enhanced intelligence gathering, strategic operations, and closer collaboration with private sector operators, noting that both Customs and industry stakeholders share a common goal of promoting legitimate trade and economic growth.

He stressed that tackling smuggling requires sustained cooperation between government agencies and businesses, especially in sectors with high employment and investment potential. He also urged stakeholders to support enforcement efforts by sharing credible intelligence on smuggling routes and illicit trade networks.

“Fighting smuggling is a continuous process that requires intelligence, policy support and collaboration. We value constructive engagement with stakeholders and will continue to strengthen our partnership with the private sector,” he said.

The Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Timi Bomodi, said the Service had recorded notable successes in curbing illegal imports of vegetable oil, with several seizures made across major border corridors.

According to him, Customs recorded about 65 seizures in 2025 and 23 seizures in 2026 so far, with a combined Duty Paid Value of about N1.314 billion.

He noted that most interceptions occurred along key smuggling routes, including Seme and Idiroko, adding that surveillance will be expanded to other vulnerable locations.

On his part, the Founder of the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria, Dr. Fatai Afolabi, commended Customs for engaging industry stakeholders but warned that continued smuggling of vegetable oil could undermine local production, discourage investment, and threaten jobs across the value chain.