Customs seizes smuggled goods worth N14.7bn in Ogun

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, has intercepted 327 consignments of smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N14.7 billion between Dec. 4, 2025 and Sept. 29, 2026.

The outgoing Area Comptroller, Mr Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday in Idiroko during the handover ceremony to the new Area Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller Ahmed Ibrahim.

Ibrahim took over from Afeni, who has been redeployed to the Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, Lagos.

Afeni attributed the seizures to intelligence-driven operations, enhanced enforcement strategies and effective collaboration with sister security agencies.

He said the command had also handed over seized illicit drugs and other prohibited items to relevant government agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).

According to him, the seized items included 32,449 parcels of cannabis, comprising Colorado and Ghana Loud, 50 sacks of raw Cannabis sativa, 19,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 8,787 cartons of spaghetti, 11,578 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 6,453 kegs of vegetable oil.

Other seizures, he said, comprised six live pangolins, 2,128 live cartridges, 1,315 Riodin explosives, two revolver pistols, 11 Dane guns and two locally manufactured pistols.

Afeni added that the command also intercepted five camouflage outfits, 32 camouflage inner wears, 32 camouflage tops, 197 camouflage trousers and seven foreign-used vehicles.

He listed one of the vehicles as a 2026 Range Rover P530 Autobiography.
On revenue generation, Afeni said the command collected N896.5 million between January and August 2026, surpassing its target of N545.3 million by N350.7 million.

He attributed the revenue performance to the commitment, transparency and resilience of the command's personnel.

Afeni also disclosed that the command processed 31,177 metric tonnes of export goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of N4.6 billion.

He described the development as a significant improvement over the corresponding period in 2025, when the command recorded no export trade.

The outgoing comptroller said the command had strengthened collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to combat smuggling and safeguard national security.

He congratulated Ibrahim on his deployment and urged officers and men of the command, traditional institutions, sister agencies and other stakeholders to give him the necessary support.

Afeni also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adewale, and the management of the service for their support during his tenure.
In his remarks, Ibrahim commended Afeni for his leadership and achievements, pledging to consolidate the gains recorded by the command.

He said the command would remain focused on its core responsibilities of revenue collection, suppression of smuggling, facilitation of legitimate trade and protection of national security.

“We will remain steadfast in the discharge of the core mandates of NCS, particularly revenue collection, suppression of smuggling, facilitation of lawful trade and protection of national security,” he said.

Ibrahim appealed for the cooperation of customs personnel, traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, sister security agencies and other stakeholders in the discharge of the command's responsibilities.

He also promised to operate an open-door policy, while warning individuals engaged in economic sabotage to desist from such activities.

He said the command would arrest and prosecute offenders in accordance with the law.