The Controller of Ogun 1 Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Oladipo Afeni showing some of the contrabands impounded by the command between April and June, 2026. Photo: Taiwo Bankole
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko, has intercepted contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦4.63 billion and generated ₦259.78 million in revenue between April 1 and June 23, 2026.
Speaking during a press briefing in Idiroko on Wednesday, the Acting Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the achievements were recorded as part of intensified efforts to enforce government fiscal policies, facilitate legitimate trade, and curb smuggling activities along the nation’s border corridors.
According to Afeni, the seizures included 2,807 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 9,482 parcels of cannabis sativa, 62 sacks of raw marijuana, 16,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) stored in kegs, 475 litres of diesel, 7,642 pairs of footwear, 2,427 pneumatic tyres, and 63 sacks of foreign sugar, among other prohibited items.
The Command also 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 (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and prosecution.
In addition, illicit pharmaceutical products comprising 77 cartons of Analgin injections containing 138,600 tubes and 100 sachets of Tramadol, each containing 1,000 tablets of 225mg, were transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Afeni disclosed that the Command generated ₦259,777,346.89 through baggage assessments, auction sales of perishable goods, petroleum products, and other statutory charges during the review period.
He noted that the figure represents a significant increase compared to the ₦76.81 million generated during the corresponding period in 2025.
“The Command collected revenue to the tune of ₦259,777,346.89 during the second quarter of 2026. This represents an increase of ₦182,445,543.89 over the amount collected within the same period in 2025, translating to a remarkable growth of 238 per cent,” Afeni stated.
He attributed the increase to the dedication of Customs personnel and strict enforcement of import and export regulations.
The Acting Controller further revealed that the Command recorded a total of 146 seizures during the period, comprising foreign rice, cannabis, footwear, petroleum products, tyres, and other prohibited items.
Among the notable interceptions was the seizure of 2,427 smuggled pneumatic tyres concealed in a truck bearing registration number ENU-660-XY. The vehicle was intercepted along the Ijebu-Ode axis on June 3 and carried a conspicuous “For Sale” inscription aimed at deceiving Customs operatives.
“A thorough examination revealed that the vehicle was conveying 2,427 pieces of smuggled pneumatic tyres,” Afeni said.
In another operation on June 16, Customs officers intercepted a truck carrying 113 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed beneath bags of cement along the Itori–Wasimi–Abeokuta corridor.
According to him, the driver ignored signals to stop and attempted to evade arrest by driving recklessly and endangering the lives of officers.
“Demonstrating high professionalism, our officers successfully brought the vehicle to a halt and apprehended the driver,” he added.
The suspect remains in custody and will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Command also intercepted another truck loaded with 630 bags of foreign parboiled rice along the Afamin-Igbogila axis on June 14, barely a month after Customs officers seized military camouflage uniforms on the Sagamu Expressway.
Afeni warned that smuggling continues to pose a serious threat to local industries, economic growth, and job creation, stressing the Command’s commitment to intensifying enforcement operations against economic sabotage.
