Customs Intercepts N417m Range Rover, 1,878kg Cannabis At Idiroko

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko, has intercepted a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 with a Duty Payable Value (DPV) of over N417 million.

The Command also intercepted 428 parcels of Cannabis Indica weighing 1,878kg, alongside other contraband with a total DPV of over N2.469 billion.

The Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday while handing over the intercepted hard drugs to the Idiroko Special Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.

Briefing journalists at the Idiroko border during a review of the command’s operational achievements over the past 34 days, spanning August and September 2026, Afeni raised concerns over the increasing volume of Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica and other hard drugs being intercepted by customs operatives.

He said intelligence reports available to the Service suggested that some criminal elements were making concerted efforts to flood Nigerian markets with hard drugs ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Ogun I Area Controller cited recent interceptions in Oyo and Osun states, as well as the seizure of over N2 billion worth of Indian hemp by the NCS Apapa Command, as indications of the growing threat.

Afeni said, “We discussed briefly yesterday that it’s like the number of hard drugs coming into the country is becoming alarming and it is like because of the concerted effort from the bad elements that probably wish our country to be dwelling in drugs.

“It will not happen. We have made Idiroko a no-go area; no passage for drugs. The Nigerian Customs, NDLEA, and other sister security agencies have joined together to say no to hard drugs coming into our country or using our country as a transit route.”

He said the command’s sustained anti-smuggling operations had dealt severe blows to illicit trade networks operating across Ogun State.

Other seized items, according to Afeni, included 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice; 3,893 parcels of Cannabis Indica weighing 1,878kg; 428 pneumatic tyres; 8,675 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in kegs; 24 bales of second-hand clothing; four sacks of used shoes; and 500 litres of diesel in kegs.

He put the total DPV of the seized items at N2,469,153,523.68.

On trade facilitation and revenue generation, the acting controller said the command had maintained its commitment to legitimate trade despite prevailing economic challenges along the country’s land borders.

“Despite prevailing economic challenges along our land borders, the Command has maintained a firm stance on legitimate trade facilitation while ensuring maximum revenue collection,” he said.

Afeni said the Ogun I Area Command would continue to strengthen border security, suppress smuggling, facilitate legitimate trade and deepen engagement with stakeholders across the state.

He also called for sustained inter-agency collaboration to tackle smuggling activities.

“To the perpetrators of economic sabotage and illegal border activities, our message remains unequivocal: Ogun I Command will continue to be a hostile zone for uncustomed goods and illicit trade. We remain resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests and national security,” Afeni said.