By Peace Udugba — The Daily Torch Media
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted five trucks conveying smuggled goods and recorded 43 seizures valued at ₦3.15 billion within 15 days of the assumption of office by its Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Abdulhamid Ibrahim.
The seizures, which included foreign pasta, rice, unregistered pharmaceutical products, cannabis, petroleum products, used vehicles and other prohibited items, formed part of intensified anti-smuggling operations across the command’s area of responsibility.
Ibrahim disclosed this during his maiden press briefing in Idiroko, Ogun State, on October 15, 2026, where he reaffirmed the command’s determination to tackle smuggling, protect public health and strengthen border security.
Photographs of seized contraband, including foreign rice, pasta, unregistered pharmaceutical products, cannabis, used vehicles, second-hand clothing, shoes and other prohibited goods intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, during anti-smuggling operations in Ogun State.
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He assumed leadership of the command on September 29, 2026.
According to him, the results followed intelligence-led patrols, enhanced surveillance and collaboration with sister security agencies, traditional institutions and community stakeholders.
He said the operations were conducted in line with the Nigeria Customs Service’s statutory responsibilities of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and trade facilitation.
Customs Intercepts Three Trucks Loaded With Foreign Pasta
One of the major operations occurred on October 2, when a patrol team, acting on intelligence, intercepted three trucks at about 4:30 a.m.
The vehicles were taken to the command’s headquarters in Idiroko for physical examination in accordance with Section 227 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The examination reportedly uncovered large quantities of foreign pasta and condensed milk concealed in the trucks.
The first vehicle, a Sino Truck Howo with registration number MSW-232-XA, was found conveying 2,740 cartons of foreign Siddo pasta concealed with 500 cartons of Oki condensed milk.
The second truck, a Howo with registration number TFA-674-XA, contained 6,000 cartons of foreign Ginny pasta.
The third vehicle, an Iveco Elco truck with registration number KMC-702-ZR, was found carrying 6,500 cartons of foreign Doga pasta.
In another operation on October 4, at about 1:34 a.m., along the Afamin-Dangote-Itori axis of Ogun State, officers intercepted a Dangote truck with registration number FZE-552-DA.
The truck was reportedly conveying 100 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed beneath mica and gypsum stones.
27,831 Unregistered Drugs, Military Camouflage Caps Seized
The command also recorded a major seizure involving pharmaceutical products and restricted military-style clothing on October 11.
Ibrahim said officers intercepted a 10-tyre truck with registration number AKL-456-XL during a patrol.
A physical examination reportedly revealed 321 army camouflage face caps and 27,831 assorted pharmaceutical products, including codeine cough syrup, injections, eye drops and supplements, which the command said lacked National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration numbers.
The Acting Area Controller warned that the illegal movement of unregistered medicines and restricted military camouflage items posed serious risks to public health and national security.
He said the command would continue to prevent the circulation of prohibited goods and protect legitimate businesses from unfair competition posed by smuggling.
Seized Goods Valued at Over ₦3.15bn
Beyond the five trucks, the command listed several other seizures recorded during the period under review.
The items included 4,013 units of cannabis sativa, one wrap of Canadian loud, 950 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 660 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, four bundles of used pneumatic tyres and 106 bales of second-hand clothing.
Other seized goods comprised 1,320 pairs of smuggled new shoes, 3,700 pairs of used shoes, 252 imported face caps and 1,250 foreign-used bags.
The command also reported the seizure of 13 foreign-used vehicles, including a 2008 Hyundai Tucson, three 2013 Honda CR-V vehicles, a 2019 Toyota Venza, a 2022 Lexus LX 600, a 2013 Lexus ES 350, a 2013 Toyota Camry XLE, a 2006 Toyota Avensis Verso, a 2002 Peugeot 406, a 2009 Ford Galaxy and a 2006 Nissan Almera.
The total duty-paid value of all the seizures was put at ₦3,153,591,000.
The command further stated that the five trucks involved in the major interceptions, valued at ₦1.235 billion, would be forfeited to the Federal Government in line with Section 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Cannabis to Be Handed Over to NDLEA
As part of inter-agency cooperation, the command announced plans to formally hand over the seized cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further action.
Ibrahim described the cannabis seizure as particularly concerning because of the potential consequences of illicit drugs for young people, public health and national security.
He stressed that cooperation among security agencies remained essential to tackling smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
The Acting Controller also credited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing leadership and support to the command’s enforcement operations.
He commended officers and men of Ogun I Area Command for their commitment, as well as sister security agencies, traditional institutions, community stakeholders and youths for their contributions to border security.
Customs Warns Smugglers
Ibrahim warned smugglers and their collaborators against using Ogun I Area Command’s operational territory for illegal activities.
He said the command would sustain intelligence-driven enforcement and apply lawful measures to prevent economic sabotage and ensure compliance with existing trade regulations.
“Our approach will be firm, fair and intelligence-driven,” he said, reiterating the command’s resolve to protect Nigeria’s economic and security interests.
He also appealed for continued public cooperation and commended the media for its role in informing citizens about the command’s activities.
The briefing underscored the command’s stated determination to strengthen border controls, disrupt illicit trade and support the Federal Government’s efforts to protect the economy and public safety.
Tags: Ogun I Customs, Nigeria Customs Service, Abdulhamid Ibrahim, Smuggling in Ogun State, Customs Seizures, Idiroko Border, NDLEA, Contraband Goods, Border Security, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi
