Oyo/Osun Customs generates ₦65.66bn in eight months, seizes rice, cannabis, arms

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated ₦65.66 billion between January and August 2026, representing a 13.88 per cent increase over the ₦57.66 billion collected during the corresponding period in 2025.

The Command also recorded seizures with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦4.107 billion in August as the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Deputy Comptroller Moses Adewole, intensified anti-smuggling operations across the Command’s area of responsibility.

Adewole disclosed the figures on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while addressing officers, stakeholders and the media during a parade of items seized by the Command.

He said the seizures demonstrated the Command’s renewed commitment to protecting the national economy, suppressing smuggling and preventing prohibited and restricted goods from entering circulation.

Among the items seized in August were 2,012 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice and 550 bags of 25kg foreign parboiled rice, 2,440 wraps of cannabis sativa, 1,150 used tyres, 101 used compressors and 48 packs of 225mg tramadol.

The seizure profile also included 105 bales and 28 sacks of used clothing, 18 sacks of used shoes, 450 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) of 25 litres each, 33 bottles of foreign vegetable oil, 30 bags of foreign sugar weighing 60kg each and 17 used vehicles.

Other items intercepted by Customs operatives included 10 means of conveyance, 573 Nigeria Police Force crests, 92 yards of Nigeria Police Force camouflage uniform fabric, 10 containers of corrosive 8 Mercury, one jack knife, one pistol, six pistol magazines, one pump-action magazine and 60 detonating cords.

The Command said the total DPV of the seized items stood at ₦4,106,951,689.

Of particular concern to the Command was the interception of the Nigeria Police Force crests and camouflage uniform materials, given the potential security implications of unauthorised possession and movement of security agency insignia and uniforms.

The interception of the items is significant against the backdrop of security challenges in the country, as unauthorised access to police uniforms or identifying materials could potentially be exploited by criminal elements.

The Command also highlighted the seizure of corrosive 8 Mercury, describing the material as hazardous and capable of posing serious risks when improperly handled, stored or transported.

According to the Command, the interception helped prevent the potentially hazardous substance from entering circulation and being handled by unauthorised persons, thereby reducing possible risks to lives, property and the environment.

Adewole attributed the seizures to the vigilance and professionalism of Customs officers, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders.

He said the Command would continue to strengthen its anti-smuggling operations while ensuring that legitimate trade and commerce were facilitated.

On revenue performance, the Command collected ₦65,661,343,026.94 between January and August 2026, compared with ₦57,656,161,990.24 generated during the same period in 2025.

The ₦8.005 billion increase represents a 13.88 per cent growth in revenue collection year-on-year.

Adewole said the revenue performance and seizure records reflected the Command’s efforts to balance its statutory responsibilities of revenue collection, trade facilitation and enforcement.

The Command maintained that its anti-smuggling operations would remain intelligence-led, with greater emphasis on collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to disrupting the activities of smugglers and other economic saboteurs while creating an environment conducive to legitimate trade.

The latest seizures further underscore the dual enforcement and revenue responsibilities of the Oyo/Osun Area Command, as it seeks to sustain improved revenue collection while preventing prohibited goods, security-sensitive materials and other illicit consignments from gaining access to the domestic economy.