Ogun I Customs intercepts 146 smuggling attempts, generates ₦259m revenue in three months

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its anti-smuggling operations, intercepting 146 smuggling attempts with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦4.63 billion, while generating ₦259.28 million in revenue between April 1 and June 23, 2026.

The Command’s Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed the figures during a press briefing at the Idiroko border on Wednesday, revealing that the revenue performance represents a remarkable 238 per cent increase over the ₦76.81 million collected during the corresponding period in 2025, underscoring the Command’s renewed enforcement drive and improved compliance measures across its area of responsibility.

According to him, the impressive performance represents an increase of ₦182.45 million and reflects the commitment of officers and men of the Command to ensuring compliance with import and export regulations.

Afeni also announced a major breakthrough in export operations, revealing that the Command facilitated the export of 20,972 metric tonnes of goods with a Free On Board (FOB) value of ₦1.049 billion during the review period.

The figure marks a significant turnaround from the absence of export activities recorded within the same period last year.

He identified white talc, crushed thermal coal and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as the major export commodities driving the improved trade performance.

On anti-smuggling operations, the Customs boss said officers of the Command successfully intercepted 146 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods valued at ₦4,628,591,970.16 despite increasingly sophisticated concealment methods employed by smugglers.

Among the notable interceptions was a truck carrying 2,427 smuggled pneumatic tyres along the Ijebu-Ode axis on June 3. The vehicle had been deceptively branded with a conspicuous “For Sale” inscription in an attempt to evade suspicion.

In another operation on June 16 along the Itori-Wasimi-Abeokuta axis, Customs operatives intercepted a truck whose driver allegedly attempted to ram a patrol vehicle while trying to escape. A subsequent search revealed 113 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed beneath bags of cement.

Similarly, officers intercepted another truck carrying 630 bags of foreign parboiled rice along the Afamin-Igbogila axis on June 14, adding to a series of successful operations that disrupted smuggling routes across the Command’s area of responsibility.

The seized items included 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, 73 bales of second-hand clothing, fertiliser, imported flour, frozen food products, as well as controlled pharmaceutical products including Tramadol and Analgin injections.

In line with the directives of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, 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 for further investigation and prosecution.

The illicit pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol capsules and Analgin injections, were also transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to prevent them from finding their way into the domestic market.

Afeni further disclosed that as Chairman of the Joint Border Security Committee, he has strengthened collaboration with security agencies in the Republic of Benin, leading to successful joint operations that dismantled criminal hideouts around the Idiroko-Igolo border corridor.

He warned smugglers and other criminal elements to stay away from the command’s operational territory, stressing that customs would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies and enhanced border surveillance to safeguard the nation’s economy and security.

The Acting Controller commended officers and men of the command for their professionalism and dedication, while also appreciating traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders for supporting customs operations.

CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

He equally congratulated the Comptroller-General of Customs on the recent extension of his tenure, expressing confidence that the Service would continue to record greater achievements under his leadership.