Ogun 1 Customs won’t give smugglers breathing space, seizes N3.57bn contraband — Afeni

…6,035 parcels of suspected Ghana Loud/Indica handed over to NDLEA

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has declared that it will not give smugglers and drug traffickers breathing space, following the interception of assorted contraband with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.574 billion in six weeks.

The Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller O.O. Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing in Idiroko, Ogun State, where he warned smugglers operating along the border corridors under the Command that intensified intelligence gathering and enforcement operations would continue.

The seizures, recorded between June 24 and August 13, 2026, comprised foreign parboiled rice, basmati rice, suspected illicit drugs, petroleum products, clothing, cosmetics, food items and other restricted goods.

Afeni said the latest seizures demonstrated the Command’s determination to protect the Nigerian economy, safeguard local industries and prevent dangerous substances from reaching communities through the country’s land borders.

“We are leveraging enhanced intelligence, modern technology and stiffer enforcement measures. We will arrest offenders, seize contraband and ensure that culprits face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

Among the items seized were 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice and 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica.

Other intercepted items included 30 bags of foreign sugar weighing 50kg each, 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers, 3,760 pieces of new tops, 11,450 litres of Premium Motor Spirit in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesel, 100 bags of fertiliser and 67 bales of second-hand clothing.

The Command also seized 85 fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Haven drinks, 53 packages of oats, 47 cartons of cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, three packages of surgical shoes and 127 new purses.

Afeni said the combined Duty Paid Value of the seizures stood at N3,574,435,248.08

The interception of 6,035 parcels of suspected Ghana Loud/Indica formed a significant part of the Command’s enforcement activities.

The narcotics were formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and other necessary legal action.

Afeni said the Command’s drug-enforcement efforts had yielded significant results since the beginning of the year, disclosing that Customs had handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw Cannabis sativa to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command from January to date.

He described drug trafficking as a serious threat to public health, security and the country’s economic stability, warning that the illicit trade could also provide funding for other criminal activities.

“The smuggling of cannabis and dangerous variants like Ghana Loud, Colorado and Cannabis sativa is not a victimless crime. It destroys lives, breeds violence in our neighbourhoods and undermines our economy,” he said.

The Controller stressed that the fight against drug trafficking could not be won by a single agency, calling for sustained cooperation among Customs, NDLEA and other relevant security and enforcement bodies.

“Our mandate as an enforcement agency is clear: intercept, seize and arrest. However, the specialised war against drug abuse and trafficking is a relay race. The true victory lies in seamless inter-agency collaboration, as no single agency can secure our nation alone,” he said.

Afeni said the Command’s enforcement campaign was not aimed merely at stopping illegal imports but also at protecting Nigerian farmers, manufacturers and other domestic producers from unfair competition.

He particularly highlighted the impact of smuggled foreign rice on the country’s agricultural sector.

“When foreign rice is smuggled into our markets, it undermines our local farmers and agricultural investors. Our government and local entrepreneurs have invested billions to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. Unimpeded smuggling forces local mills to close and leaves our farmers bankrupt,” he said.

According to him, agriculture remains an important source of employment for Nigerian youths, meaning that the unchecked influx of smuggled agricultural products could worsen unemployment and poverty.

He therefore urged Nigerians to support locally produced goods, especially rice, as part of efforts to strengthen domestic production and achieve greater food security.

The Controller said the Command’s operations were aligned with the Federal Government’s agricultural development policies and the broader strategic direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD.

‘Ogun 1 becoming hostile to smugglers’

Afeni said smugglers had continued to devise sophisticated methods of concealment and transportation, particularly in attempts to move illicit drugs and foreign rice through the border corridors.

He, however, said the Command’s intelligence networks, technology deployment and operational determination had enabled its officers to frustrate several such attempts.

“Smugglers and enemies of the state are becoming more desperate, employing highly sophisticated concealment methods to smuggle hard drugs into the country. However, our intelligence networks, technological integration and the raw determination of our officers on the frontline have proven superior,” he said.

He warned those involved in smuggling that the Command would continue to disrupt their activities.

“To the syndicates and smugglers who think they can use Ogun 1 Command as a transit route for poison, hear this clearly. If you do not trade legitimately, we will continue to seize your goods, impound your vehicles and send you to prison,” Afeni said.

He appealed to traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to provide credible information on suspicious activities, stressing that securing the nation’s borders was a collective responsibility.

Customs records N2.59bn exports

While highlighting the Command’s enforcement achievements, Afeni said Ogun 1 was also facilitating legitimate trade and contributing to the country’s export drive.

He disclosed that the Command recorded an export volume of 10,110 metric tonnes, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N2,594,078,654.

The major export commodities, he said, included white talc, crushed thermal coal and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

The Command also generated N90,066,164 in July from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable goods, Premium Motor Spirit and other charges.

Afeni said the figures reflected Customs’ dual responsibility of generating revenue for government while protecting the domestic economy and facilitating legitimate trade.

Afeni seeks media, community support

The Controller called on the media to deepen public sensitisation on the dangers of smuggling and the importance of voluntary compliance with customs regulations.

He said the press briefing was intended to provide journalists with verifiable information about the Command’s operations and achievements while ensuring that legitimate trade was not wrongly portrayed as illicit activity.

Afeni urged journalists to thoroughly investigate reports before publication, particularly those relating to border operations and enforcement activities.

He commended officers and men of Ogun 1 Command for their commitment and sacrifices, saying their vigilance had helped prevent prohibited goods and dangerous substances from reaching the Nigerian market.

He also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for what he described as his dynamic leadership, support and encouragement.

Afeni assured Nigerians that Ogun 1 Customs would sustain the enforcement tempo, insisting that the Command would continue to make its operational territory increasingly difficult for smugglers while facilitating legitimate trade and supporting national economic development.