By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated ₦259.78 million in revenue and seized smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦4.63 billion between April 1 and June 23, 2026.

Speaking during a press briefing in Idiroko on Wednesday, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the achievements underscored the command’s commitment to revenue generation, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling operations.

According to Afeni, the command realised ₦259,777,346.89 from baggage assessments, auction sales of perishable goods, petroleum products and other charges during the period under review.

He said the figure represented a significant increase from the ₦76.81 million generated during the corresponding period in 2025.

“The command recorded a revenue increase of ₦182.45 million, representing a 238 per cent growth over the same period last year. This was made possible through the resilience of our officers and strict enforcement of import and export regulations in line with extant laws,” Afeni stated.

The Customs boss disclosed that the command recorded 146 seizures during the period, involving foreign parboiled rice, cannabis, petroleum products, used tyres, footwear and other prohibited items.

Among the major interceptions, Afeni said Customs operatives on June 3 intercepted a truck along the Ijebu-Ode axis carrying 2,427 smuggled pneumatic tyres concealed under the guise of a vehicle marked “For Sale.”

He also revealed that a June 16 operation along the Itori-Wasimi-Abeokuta corridor led to the interception of a truck transporting 113 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed beneath bags of cement.

“The driver ignored our officers’ signal to stop and attempted to ram into the patrol vehicle, thereby endangering the lives of our personnel. However, our officers acted professionally, brought the vehicle to a halt and apprehended the suspect,” he said.

Afeni added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspect would be prosecuted upon completion of the inquiry.

He further disclosed that Customs officers intercepted another truck on June 14 along the Afamin-Igbogila axis carrying 630 bags of foreign rice, barely a month after the command seized military camouflage uniforms along the Sagamu Expressway.

Warning against the dangers of smuggling, Afeni said the influx of prohibited goods threatens local industries and employment opportunities.

“Allowing uncustomed goods of this nature into our markets directly undermines and paralyses local industries, ultimately worsening unemployment among our teeming youth. We remain resolute in our mandate to protect the national economy and secure our land borders,” he said.

The seized items include 2,807 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 9,482 parcels of cannabis sativa, 62 sacks of raw marijuana, 16,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 475 litres of diesel, 7,642 pairs of footwear, 2,427 pneumatic tyres, 63 sacks of foreign sugar and 73 bales of second-hand clothing.

Other items recovered were one used vehicle, 10 bags of fertiliser, 62 bags of imported flour, 32 cartons of frozen products and 100 sachets of tramadol tablets.

Afeni said the cumulative Duty Paid Value of the seizures stood at ₦4,628,591,970.16.

“These items were seized mainly because they fall under the import and export prohibition list and for failure to comply with extant regulations as provided under the Nigeria Customs Service Act,” he explained.

On export activities, Afeni disclosed that the command facilitated the export of 20,972 metric tonnes of goods valued at ₦1.049 billion Free on Board (FOB) during the review period.

The figure represents a significant improvement from the corresponding period in 2025, when no export activity was recorded.

He attributed the growth to increased exports of white talc, crushed thermal coal and compressed natural gas (CNG).

“This represents a massive year-on-year improvement and demonstrates the growing role of the command in facilitating legitimate cross-border trade,” he said.

As part of ongoing inter-agency collaboration, the command handed over 6,981 parcels of Cannabis Indica, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud,” and 62 sacks of raw marijuana to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

The command also transferred seized pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), including 77 cartons of Analgin injections containing 138,600 tubes and 1,000 tablets of Tramadol (225mg).

Afeni described the handover as evidence of strong collaboration among security and regulatory agencies in combating illicit trade and safeguarding national security.

He also highlighted ongoing joint security operations along the Nigeria–Benin Republic border, involving the Nigeria Customs Service, Police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, NSCDC, NDLEA, FRSC and their Beninese counterparts.

According to him, the Joint Border Security Committee recently conducted coordinated operations targeting criminal hideouts and abandoned structures around the Idiroko-Igolo border corridor.

“Our joint border security force and sister agencies remain united in ensuring that this area remains hostile and unfavourable for criminal activities,” he said.

Afeni commended officers and men of the Ogun I Area Command for their professionalism and dedication, while also appreciating security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, the media and members of the public for their continued support.

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