By Peace Udugba
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N4.63 billion and a 238 per cent increase in revenue generation during the second quarter of 2026.
Speaking during a press briefing at Idiroko, Ogun State, on Wednesday, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the command generated N259.28 million between April 1 and June 23, 2026, from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, petroleum products and other charges.
According to him, the figure represents a significant increase from the N76.81 million collected during the corresponding period in 2025, reflecting an additional N182.45 million in revenue.
Afeni attributed the growth to the commitment of officers in ensuring strict compliance with import and export regulations by importers and clearing agents.
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On anti-smuggling operations, the controller disclosed that the command recorded 146 seizures during the review period, including cannabis sativa, foreign parboiled rice, footwear, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), trucks and other prohibited goods.
He highlighted the interception of a truck along the Ijebu-Ode axis on June 3, which was found to be conveying 2,427 smuggled pneumatic tyres concealed under a misleading “For Sale” inscription.
The command also intercepted a truck loaded with 113 bags of foreign parboiled rice hidden beneath bags of cement along the Itori-Wasimi-Abeokuta route on June 16. The driver, who allegedly attempted to evade arrest and ram Customs officers, was apprehended and remains in custody pending prosecution.
In another operation, officers intercepted a truck carrying 630 bags of foreign rice along the Afamin-Igbogila axis on June 14, barely a month after a seizure of military camouflage uniforms along the Sagamu Expressway.
Afeni said other seizures recorded within the period included 2,807 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 9,482 parcels of cannabis sativa, 62 sacks of raw marijuana, 16,525 litres of PMS, 475 litres of diesel, 7,642 pairs of footwear, 63 sacks of foreign sugar, 73 bales of second-hand clothing, one used vehicle, 10 bags of fertiliser, 62 bags of imported flour, 32 cartons of frozen products and 1,000 tablets of tramadol.
He stated that the seized items had a cumulative DPV of N4.63 billion and were confiscated for violating provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act and other import regulations.
The controller further disclosed that the command recorded export transactions totalling 20,972 metric tonnes, valued at N1.05 billion Free on Board (FOB), during the period under review. He noted that no export activity was recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to him, the exported commodities included white talc, crushed thermal coal and compressed natural gas (CNG).
On border security, Afeni said the Joint Border Security Committee, comprising Nigerian and Beninese security agencies, carried out coordinated operations targeting criminal hideouts and abandoned structures along the Idiroko-Igolo border corridor in Ipokia Local Government Area.
As part of ongoing inter-agency collaboration, the command 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) for further investigation and prosecution.
The command also transferred 77 cartons of Analgin injections containing 138,600 tubes and 1,000 tablets of tramadol to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Afeni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to suppressing smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade and strengthening stakeholder engagement, while commending officers, sister security agencies, traditional leaders and members of the public for their support.
He also congratulated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on the extension of his tenure, describing it as a recognition of his contributions to the growth and reform of the Nigeria Customs Service.
