Ogun I Customs records 47% revenue increase, intensifies anti-smuggling, seizes ₦4.13bn contraband

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has generated ₦454.6 million in revenue in 2025, a 47% increase from 2024, while making seizures worth ₦4.13 billion.

The seizures include foreign parboiled rice, Premium Motor Spirit, cannabis sativa, arms and ammunition, and other contraband, resulting from credible intelligence, sustained patrols, and inter-agency collaboration.

The Acting Customs Area Controller, Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, Command who made the disclosure this last Wednesday at Idiroko at a has also handing over ceremony of seized items to relevant agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NAFDAC) and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons(NCCSALW).

The 2025 revenue performance he disclosed as a reflection of the Command’s renewed commitment to the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service revenue generation, anti-smuggling, and trade facilitation.

Afeni stated that improved revenue profile was driven by efficient baggage assessment procedures and proceeds from auction sales of seized Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), alongside enhanced compliance by traders and the diligence of officers.

He added that the Command has sustained the momentum into 2026, recording ₦106,277,312 in revenue between January 1 and January 28, 2026, compared to ₦89,584,419 generated within the same period in 2025, representing an 84.3 per cent increase.

On enforcement, the Acting Controller said the Command recorded 487 seizures in 2025, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦4.13 billion, a significant rise from the ₦1.79 billion DPV recorded in 2024, marking an increase of over ₦2.3 billion.

Items seized during the year include 50kg each – 22,725 Bags equivalent to 37 trailer load of Foreign Parboiled Rice, 2,669 kegs (66,725 liters) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) , Red star cartridges, 13,332 Parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 25 Bales of Used Clothing, Foreign Used Vehicles – 11 Units and Tractor, 2,034 Pieces Used pneumatic tyres, 12 cartons of Gino Tomatoes, 18 Bags of 60kg Sugar

1 carton of Inhalator insecticide ,Doga brand spaghetti 10kg 4,228 cartons, Vegetable oil of 25 liters 2,097 kegs, Riodin explosives-1,315 pieces, 11 units of Dane Guns , Revolver pistol- 2 units, Locally made guUsed pneumatic tyresns- 2 units, Crystal Meth 27 Wraps weighing 28.90kg, Heroin 16 pieces weighing 16kg ,Used Boxer Motorcycle 6 Unit (means of conveyance).

Afeni said the seizures were the result of credible intelligence, sustained patrols, and collaboration with sister security agencies in policing the porous land borders within the Command’s area of responsibility.

He further disclosed that between January 1 and January 29, 2026, the Command made fresh seizures with a DPV of ₦721,453,612, including 1,042 bags of smuggled rice weighing 50kg each, 3,738 parcels of cannabis sativa,780 Used tyres, 2 Unit of locally made Riffles, 198 pieces of Cartridges, 473 kegs PMS (11,825 liters), 6 Used vehicles and one means of conveyance, 4 sacks 25kg of Caffeine Ahydrous (This will be subjected to further examination by NAFDAC to ascertained the value), 72 packs soduku plant extraction Toothpaste- 120g ,84 Soduku Vitamin D 108g each, 2 pieces of traditional carvings.

As part of inter-agency collaboration, Afeni announced the handover of 3,623 parcels of cannabis sativa to the NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command. He noted that narcotics trafficking remains a growing concern, with 56 drug-related seizures recorded in 2025 and 10 seizures already made within the first 29 days of 2026.

He also handed over arms, ammunition, and explosives to the NCCSALW South-West Zone, stressing that such items are classified under absolute prohibition in Nigeria’s Common External Tariff.

Additionally, seized pharmaceutical products, 72 packs soduku plant extraction Toothpaste- 120g and 84 Soduku Vitamin D 108g each were transferred to NAFDAC for further investigation.

Afeni condemned recent attacks on Customs officers in the Akokoro area of the Imeko axis, warning that assaults on officers will not deter the Command from enforcing the law.

He called on traditional rulers and community leaders to discourage youths from smuggling, particularly of narcotics and arms, noting the dangers such activities pose to national security.

The Acting Area Controller commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, officers of the Command, sister agencies, host communities, and compliant traders for their support.

The Ogun 1 Customs boss restated the command’s commitment to driving revenue growth, curbing smuggling, and promoting legitimate trade in 2026.

“We’re off to a great start in 2026, and we’re determined to exceed our 2025 performance,” said Afeni.

“No threats or intimidation will stop us from doing our job. We’ll keep tackling challenges and building on our achievements.”

He praised the recent seizure of explosives and ammunition, saying, “If these items had fallen into the wrong hands, the consequences would be devastating”.