By Peace Udugba
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted large consignments of cannabis sativa, foreign rice, vegetable oil, petroleum products, and other prohibited items with a cumulative Duty Paid Value of ₦6.77 billion.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the command, OO AFENI, disclosed this during a press briefing held in Idiroko on Tuesday.
Afeni said the command remained committed to securing Nigeria’s land borders, dismantling smuggling networks, and protecting the nation’s economy through intelligence-driven operations and enhanced inter-agency collaboration.
According to him, the command had earlier, on March 16, handed over 2,543 parcels of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Idiroko Special Command, noting that the latest seizures were achieved within 41 days through renewed enforcement strategies.
He revealed that the command recorded 73 seizures during the period, including 1,759 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each and 10,126 parcels of cannabis indica, popularly known as “Ghana Loud,” equivalent to 4,627 kilograms with an estimated street value exceeding ₦5 billion.
Other seized items included 2,685 kegs of vegetable oil, 14,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 66 bales of second-hand clothing, 46 bags of foreign sugar, 77 cartons of Analgin injections without NAFDAC registration numbers, 50 cartons of expired seasoning cubes, used vehicles, footwear, handbags, and several cartons of basmati rice and organic honey.
The command also intercepted six live pangolins, which have since been handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Speaking on the dangers posed by cannabis trafficking, Afeni warned that the increasing abuse of cannabis remains a major threat to public health and national security, linking it to criminal activities such as armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, terrorism, and banditry.
He stated that from January to date, the command had removed over 26,000 parcels of cannabis from circulation, describing the seizures as preventive measures aimed at protecting society from worsening drug-related crises.
On rice smuggling, the customs boss reiterated that the Federal Government’s restriction on rice importation through land borders was designed to encourage local production and boost national self-sufficiency.
He stressed that persistent rice smuggling continues to undermine Nigeria’s economic growth and agricultural development.
Afeni also highlighted the command’s crackdown on vegetable oil smuggling, revealing that officers intercepted a DAF truck loaded with 2,185 kegs of vegetable oil along the Shagamu Interchange-Ogere Road on May 5 following intelligence-led operations.
According to him, excessive dependence on imported vegetable oil threatens local producers, contributes to job losses, and exposes consumers to health risks associated with adulterated products.
He disclosed that since assuming office, the command had seized 12,271 kegs of vegetable oil in efforts to protect local industries and uphold product standards.
The acting controller further revealed that customs officers intercepted another truck along the Shagamu Interchange-Ogere Road on May 7 carrying prohibited goods, including unregistered pharmaceutical products, expired food items, footwear, used clothing, and imported rice.
In addition to its anti-smuggling operations, the command generated ₦125.43 million in revenue between March 16 and May 12, 2026, through baggage assessment and the auction of seized petroleum products.
Afeni added that the command also facilitated the export of 95 metric tonnes of goods valued at over ₦1 billion Free on Board.
He said the command had begun deploying advanced geospatial technology in line with the modernisation agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to strengthen border surveillance and enhance intelligence-led enforcement operations.
The customs boss commended sister security agencies, including the DSS, NDLEA, Immigration Service, and Police, as well as officers and stakeholders, for their collaboration in combating smuggling activities across Ogun State.
