Comprehensive Crackdown on Border Smuggling

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has successfully intercepted a vast array of contraband with a combined duty-paid value of N3.57 billion. The seizures include 6,035 parcels of cannabis, foreign parboiled rice, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and other prohibited items during recent enforcement activities.

Acting Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, announced the development during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State. Afeni attributed the success to sustained anti-smuggling operations backed by intelligence gathering, technology, and strategic collaboration with sister security agencies. The command has intensified its activities in alignment with the policy direction of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, specifically targeting the protection of local industries and food security.

Among the specific items recovered were 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 100 bags of fertiliser, and over 13,000 litres of PMS stored in both kegs and drums. The enforcement also yielded 67 bales of secondhand clothing, 85 fire extinguishers, and hundreds of cartons of various consumables and cosmetics.

Strategic Transfer of Narcotics to NDLEA

A significant portion of the intercepted goods consisted of 6,035 parcels of "Ghana Loud" and "Indica" cannabis strains. Deputy Comptroller Afeni formally handed these substances over to the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and prosecution. He noted that drug trafficking presents severe security and social challenges that require a unified front from all security agencies.

Historical data shared during the briefing highlighted the scale of the command's efforts in narcotics control. From January 2026 to date, the Ogun I Area Command has handed over a total of 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw cannabis sativa to the NDLEA. This sustained cooperation is a key component in disrupting the movement of illicit drugs through the nation's border corridors.

Fiscal Performance and Export Statistics

Beyond its enforcement mandate, the command reported significant contributions to the Federal Government's revenue drive. In July 2026, the command generated N90.06 million from various sources, including baggage assessments and auctions of perishable goods and seized PMS.

In the area of trade facilitation, the command recorded an export volume of 10,110 metric tonnes during the period under review. These exports carried a Free On Board (FOB) value of N2.594 billion. The primary commodities contributing to these figures included white talc, crushed thermal coal, and compressed natural gas (CNG), reflecting a diverse range of economic activity through the border.

Strengthening Domestic Industries and Community Vigilance

While highlighting the economic implications of smuggling, Afeni urged Nigerians to prioritize the patronage of locally produced goods. He emphasized that supporting domestic production is essential for strengthening local industries, creating employment opportunities, and ensuring long-term economic growth for the country.

To further secure the border areas, the Acting Controller called on traditional rulers, youth leaders, and border communities to provide credible information regarding suspicious activities. He warned that the Customs Service remains determined to seize contraband and impound any vehicles used for smuggling, ensuring that those involved face the full weight of the law. Afeni commended his officers for their commitment to duty and acknowledged the leadership of Comptroller General Adeniyi in providing the necessary support for the command’s successes.