Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni has assumed command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, taking responsibility for customs enforcement and anti-smuggling operations across the South-West region.
The change in leadership, which took place on Wednesday, places Afeni in charge of one of the most critical operational sectors within the service. FOU Zone ‘A’ is tasked with the interception of illicit goods and the enforcement of customs laws in a region that serves as a primary artery for Nigerian commerce.
The takeover is expected to influence the intensity of enforcement activities in the South-West, a zone frequently targeted by smugglers of prohibited items, including vehicles, narcotics, and unregistered consumer goods.
Enforcement mandate and regional importance
The Federal Operations Unit plays a distinct role within the NCS, focusing on intelligence-led interdictions rather than traditional border patrols. Under Afeni’s leadership, the unit will oversee operations aimed at preventing revenue leakages and ensuring that goods moving through the South-West commercial hubs are properly documented and taxed.
The transition was formalised during the official reception for Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, where officers and officials welcomed the new commander to the unit.
The South-West region, which includes high-traffic commercial states such as Lagos and Ogun, represents a high-stakes area for the NCS due to the volume of goods moving through land borders and coastal access points. Any shift in leadership within FOU Zone ‘A’ directly impacts the service’s ability to secure these routes against illegal trade.
In recent months, the NCS has ramped up its efforts to curb the smuggling of contraband to bolster national security and increase federal revenue. The deployment of experienced officers to key operational zones is a central part of this strategy to protect the nation’s economy from unregulated imports.
Afeni’s immediate priority will likely involve reviewing current interdiction strategies and coordinating with other security agencies to tighten controls along major transit corridors in the South-West.
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