BALOGUN’S ZONE C: A COMPENDIUM OF INTEL-LED SEIZURES WORTH OVER ₦5BN SINCE 2025

By Tunde Umar.

Since assuming command of the Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit Zone C in 2025, Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun known for his strict adherence to rules and operational guidelines has overseen a string of intelligence-led interceptions totaling over ₦5 billion in Duty Paid Value — a record that underscores his shift from reactive policing to predictive enforcement across the South-South and South-East.

*1. JUNE 2026: ₦403.5M VEGETABLE OIL HAUL*  

At a press briefing on Monday, 15 June 2026, in Owerri, Balogun announced the seizure of foreign vegetable oil worth ₦403,491,000. Operatives intercepted one truck at 10pm on 9 May 2026 along the 9th Mile axis in Enugu State, and another on 7 June 2026 along the Onitsha–Agbor Highway. 

Combined items: 3,310 jerrycans of 25-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil, 10 jerrycans of 10-litre “Super Delicious”, 20 cartons of 5-litre sunflower oil, and 20 cartons of 3-litre sunflower oil.

“This represents a major blow to economic saboteurs whose illegal importation undermines local industry, technology transfer, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings,” Balogun said. The operation enforces the NCS Act 2023 and FG’s ban on foreign vegetable oil imports.

*2. MARCH 2026: ₦1.056BN TRAMADOL/CODEINE BUST*  

In the predawn hours of 15 March 2026, surveillance on the Okada/Ofosu Expressway led to FOU Zone C’s largest single seizure of illicit pharmaceuticals. After the driver fled, officers found 1,002,000 Tramadol tablets and 10,000 bottles of Barcadin Codeine syrup hidden under legitimate goods. DPV: ₦1.056 billion.

The truck had been tracked for 72 hours. “This is what strategic intelligence looks like,” Balogun said. “We are no longer waiting for smugglers. We are going to them.”

*3. NOVEMBER 2025: CANNABIS & CANADA LOUD INTERCEPTED, HANDED TO NDLEA*  

On 14 November 2025, Zone C operatives intercepted 151 wraps of Cannabis Sativa weighing 77,500g and 15 wraps of Canada Loud weighing 8,600g. The narcotics were subsequently handed over to relevant government agencies in line with inter-agency protocols, reinforcing Balogun’s commitment to collaborative enforcement against drug trafficking networks.

*4. APRIL 2025: ₦3.6BN DONKEY SKIN SEIZURE*  

On 28 April 2025, the Unit seized 3,022 pieces of dry salted donkey skin with a Duty Payment Value of ₦3.6 billion, disrupting a major wildlife trafficking network. The operation highlighted Zone C’s expanded mandate beyond revenue — covering economic sabotage and illegal wildlife trade.

*THE BALOGUN DOCTRINE: DISCIPLINE, INTEL, DETERRENCE*  

Enlisted 24 September 1991, Balogun’s record spans MMIA, CG’s Strike Force Zone A, and Seme Border as DC Revenue. Colleagues call him “calm on the surface, relentless on the job.” CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi posted him to Zone C on merit.

Zone C covers 11 states: Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo. Under Balogun, it now runs real-time intelligence, risk profiling, and NDLEA/DSS coordination instead of static checkpoints.

*ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & COMMAND ETHOS*  

Comptroller Balogun attributes the Unit’s success to the dedication of his officers and men, whose vigilance and sacrifice drive results on the field. He commends sister agencies — NDLEA, DSS, Police, and others — for seamless collaboration that has tightened the enforcement net across the zone.

He further expressed profound appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service management under the highly cerebral and purposeful Comptroller General, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi MFR PhD dsm fnipr psc+, for the support, strategic direction, and trust reposed in him through the posting to FOU Zone C.

*THE SCOREBOARD SINCE 2025*  

- *28 Apr 2025*: Donkey skin — ₦3.6bn  

- *14 Nov 2025*: Cannabis/Canada Loud — 86.1kg, handed to agencies  

- *15 Mar 2026*: Tramadol/Codeine — ₦1.056bn  

- *9 May & 7 Jun 2026*: Vegetable oil — ₦403.5m  

*Total DPV (excluding narcotics handed over)*: ₦5.059bn+

For networks in the South-South and South-East, the message is consistent: the cost of operating in Zone C has risen, and the probability of getting caught has risen with it.