By peace udugba- The daily torch media
Ogun I Command Intercepts 4,260 Parcels of Cannabis as Enforcement Drive Forces Smugglers Across the Border
Barely six weeks after taking charge as Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Oladapo Afeni has redrawn the enforcement map of Idiroko and its adjoining border corridors.
What used to be a familiar route for smugglers along the Imeko and Ipokia axes has suddenly become a hostile terrain for economic saboteurs. The renewed crackdown has not only disrupted entrenched smuggling networks but has also compelled many operators to retreat across the border into the Benin Republic.
Under Afeni’s watch, the Command has strengthened intelligence-driven operations, reinforcing the core mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. His style—firm, disciplined, yet professional—has quickly repositioned Ogun I Command as a frontline shield against economic sabotage and security threats.
4,260 Parcels of Cannabis Seized
The most striking development in this renewed offensive is the interception of over 4,260 parcels of cannabis sativa and indica in January alone. The figure significantly outweighs the 2,700 bags of foreign parboiled rice seized within the same period—marking a shift in enforcement priorities.
For years, rice smuggling dominated the narrative at border commands. However, Afeni’s strategy reflects a deeper security calculation: narcotics fuel criminality, empower violent networks, and endanger the nation’s youth. By targeting drug trafficking head-on, the Command is striking at the root of broader insecurity.
Without exaggeration, the scale of seizures has placed the Command’s anti-narcotics drive ahead of other enforcement footprints in the corridor, especially given the operational constraints faced by sister agencies.
Heightened Vigilance Amid Regional Tensions
With political uncertainties in neighbouring territories and Nigeria’s approaching election cycle, scrutiny of imports has intensified. The Command is particularly alert to the risk of arms and ammunition slipping through porous routes.
Afeni has made it clear that compliance is non-negotiable. Officers have been directed to uphold professionalism without compromising enforcement standards. Courtesy, he insists, must never dilute vigilance.
Beyond Enforcement: Community Engagement
Recognising that smuggling thrives on both porous borders and community complicity, Afeni is extending his strategy beyond seizures. Plans are underway to deepen engagement with traditional rulers and border communities, educating residents on the dangers of narcotics and illicit trade.
By strengthening corporate social responsibility initiatives and fostering collaboration, the Command aims to weaken smuggling networks at their roots rather than merely intercept their goods.
A Red Line Drawn
In a short span, Afeni has transformed Ogun I Command into what observers describe as a “red zone” for economic saboteurs. His message is direct—there will be no compromise, no negotiation, and no safe haven for smugglers within the Command’s jurisdiction.
Though challenges remain—ranging from difficult terrain to the ingenuity of trafficking networks—the current momentum suggests that Ogun’s borders will remain tightly guarded.
For the Nigeria Customs Service, the developments at Idiroko underscore a simple truth: vigilance, discipline, and community partnership remain the pillars of effective border control.
