FOU Zone ‘A’: Afeni Assumes Duty as 30th Acting Comptroller, Aliyu Retires
Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni has assumed duty as the 30th Acting Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja-Lagos, following the retirement of Comptroller Gambo Aliyu.
Afeni formally took over on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at a handing-over ceremony held at the unit’s conference hall and attended by senior Customs officers, stakeholders, colleagues, friends and well-wishers.
In his inaugural address, the new Acting Comptroller pledged purposeful, professional and accountable leadership, with a focus on intelligence-led enforcement, revenue protection and the prevention of revenue leakages.
Afeni said enforcement under his leadership would remain firm, lawful and respectful of human dignity, while his administration would facilitate legitimate trade through constructive engagement with traders, manufacturers, importers, exporters, customs brokers and other stakeholders.
He also called for stronger collaboration with sister security and law-enforcement agencies to tackle trans-border crimes, including the illicit movement of drugs, arms, currencies, counterfeit goods and other prohibited items. He further promised to prioritise officers’ welfare, professional development, discipline and physical fitness.
Aliyu Highlights Operational Gains
In his handing-over address, the immediate past Comptroller, retired Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, disclosed that FOU Zone ‘A’ intercepted 779 smuggling attempts during his tenure.
The seizures included more than 20,900 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 61 used vehicles, thousands of used compressors and clothing items, foreign poultry products and 4,418 jerrycans of vegetable oil.
The unit also seized 12,606 parcels of cannabis weighing 6,194.3kg, 2.30kg of cocaine, 76,505 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg.
According to Aliyu, the seized items had a total duty-paid value of ₦13.075 billion.
On revenue recovery, he said the unit recovered ₦3.19 billion between December 10, 2025 and September 24, 2026, representing 798 per cent of its ₦400 million annual target and a 776 per cent increase over the ₦411.45 million recovered during the corresponding period in 2025.
Aliyu attributed the performance to enhanced risk profiling, compliance checks, targeted examination of suspicious declarations, teamwork and collaboration with sister agencies.
While congratulating Afeni, the retired Comptroller urged him to build on the existing operational foundation and lead with fairness, firmness, courage and sound judgment.
He also commended officers of FOU Zone ‘A’ for their loyalty, discipline and resilience, while expressing confidence in the success of the new leadership.