By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has intensified its crackdown on smuggling activities, intercepting 1,202 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil valued at ₦120.2 million.
The Command, under the leadership of Deputy Comptroller O.O. Afeni, disclosed that the seizures were made during two intelligence-led operations conducted on March 19 and 24, 2026.
According to the Command, the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb unfair competition affecting local vegetable oil producers and to strengthen the Nigerian economy by protecting domestic industries and jobs.
The latest interception follows earlier seizures of 2,539 kegs of vegetable oil (25kg each) on March 11, 2026, and 2,090 kegs (25kg each) on December 16, 2025.
In a related development, the Command also handed over 285 sacks of seized mica stones, each weighing 50kg and valued at ₦104.7 million, to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
The handover ceremony took place at the Command Headquarters in Abeokuta after the minerals were intercepted during a routine anti-smuggling operation. The seizure highlights the Command’s expanded mandate to prevent illegal exportation of Nigeria’s solid minerals, which often bypass regulatory frameworks and result in revenue losses for the Federal Government.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller O.O. Afeni—represented by Assistant Comptroller E.K. Onyeasor—stressed that illegal trade in solid minerals poses serious threats to national security and economic stability.
He stated, “The Ogun I Command under my leadership remains an impenetrable wall against the illicit outflow of our national wealth. This handover reflects our ‘one-government’ approach, ensuring that relevant agencies receive the support needed to enforce environmental and mining laws.”
Receiving the items on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr. Ojediran Abimbola Olubumi commended the Command for its vigilance and professionalism.
She noted that the seized mica would undergo further geological analysis and be incorporated into the national mineral database as part of efforts to sanitize the mining sector.
Export Performance Shows Significant Growth
The Command also reported notable progress in trade facilitation for March 2026, reflecting improved efficiency in export processes.
According to its export performance report, export volume rose significantly compared to the same period in 2025:
March 2026: 277.8 metric tonnes, valued at $383,100
March 2025: 20.0 metric tonnes, valued at $104,600
This represents a 266 percent increase in export value year-on-year.
The Command attributed this growth to enhanced processing capabilities and strengthened monitoring along the Idiroko border axis and surrounding creeks, ensuring tighter control over illegal trade activities.
