3 cement trucks smuggling 2,030 bags of rice worth N223m intercepted by Oyo/Osun Customs Command

…Seizes 660kg of cannabis Sativa, used clothes worth N20m

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

In an avowed committed to the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) mandate of revenue generation, legitimate trade facilitation and suppression of smuggling, the Oyo/Osun Command has beaten smugglers in their game by intercepting 2,030 bags of foreign parboiled rice.

The 50kg each bags of rice were carefully concealed in the trucks owned by a popular cement manufacturing company.

The command revealed that under 17 days, it has recorded seizures of smuggled goods aside rice, such as: Cannabis Sativa, Used Tyres, used shoes and used compressors with a duty paid value of N468,706,602 million.

Other items seized include, premium motor spirit, used clothes, used refrigerator and air conditioner compressors.

Comptroller Joseph Olugbuyi Adelaja, controller of the command while addressing newsmen on Monday gave a breakdown of the seizures made as: 2,030 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice worth N223.3 million, 660 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa with a duty paid value of N21.780 million, 28 bales of used clothes worth N20.160 million and 167 pieces of used tyres worth N16.032 million.

He went memory lane to recall that during his maiden press briefing, that within the 22 days of his assumption of duty, significant milestones were recorded both in the area of revenue generation and anti-smuggling activities, stating that the sum of ₦2,048,487,969.00k only was generated as revenue for the period of 1st February to 27th February 2025, while the sum of ₦165,387,000.00k only was recorded for the anti-smuggling activities during same period.

Controller Adelaja further expressed concern over such unhygienic means of conveying edibles as rice, “Notably, these foreign parboiled rice were concealed in three heavy-duty trucks. Unfortunately, these trucks were used to smuggle prohibited items.

“These illegal activities do not only undermine the nation’s economic development but also pose a serious threat to the safety and well-being of our citizens,”

One of the trucks was owned by one of the cement manufacturers in the area he disclosed.

Further revealed that one of the trucks, was loaded with bags of rice and covered with tarpaulin to make it look like it was conveying bags of cement.

This feat he expressed was made possible through effective intelligence sharing by the Customs Intelligence Unit, the Customs Police Unit, and the support of relevant stakeholders who collaborated with the Command to accomplish the task.

Saying that the illegal activities not only undermine the nation’s economic development but also pose serious threat to the safety and well-being of citizens, the Comptroller warned habitual smugglers that the area command would enforce necessary compliance through the application of Customs laws.

He advised owners of companies conveying goods from one place to another to install trackers in all of their vehicles to monitor their movements.

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the support extended to the command’s officers and men, as well as the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, for providing an enabling environment for Customs officers to work in.

Comptroller Adelaja assured the general public that the command remains resolute in its fight against smuggling and illicit trade.

He called for maximum support from stakeholders and patriotic Nigerians to enhance Customs officers’ abilities to discharge their duties effectively to safeguard the nation’s economy.

His profound gratitude was also extended to the executive governor of Oyo State His Excellency, Seyi Abiodun Makinde, for his unwavering dedication and the pivotal role he played in ensuring that the officers and men of the command operate in an enabling environment.

His thanks also went to traditional rulers for their continuous support and cooperation, “your support remain invaluable to the success of our operations,” he said.