The Ogun I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a major success in its anti-smuggling operations, intercepting contraband goods worth a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N229.1 million within just seven days.
The feat was achieved under the leadership of Deputy Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, who assumed duty as the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command on December 10, 2024.
The seizures, announced during a press briefing on Thursday at the command’s Idiroko headquarters, include over 2,000 bags of foreign rice, cannabis, used clothes, imported shoes, and vehicles, among others.
These contraband items were intercepted at various smuggling hotspots, including Idiroko, Ilaro, Obada Oko-Abeokuta, and Imeko-Afon.
Speaking at the briefing, Shuaibu revealed the full inventory of the seizures, saying, 2,169 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice were smuggled through unapproved routes.
He added that 1,128 parcels of cannabis sativa (marijuana) weighing 1,109.3kg.as well as 21 bales and 2 sacks of used clothes, 166 pieces of pneumatic tyres, 4,360 cartons of imported shoes, 250 kegs of petrol (PMS), each containing 25 liters and 20 vehicles used for smuggling activities, including a 2012 Toyota Highlander.
DC Shuaibu emphasized that the seizures were the result of intelligence gathering, strategic surveillance, and collaboration with patriotic Nigerians.
“Upon my assumption of duty, I made it clear to my officers that our mission would be driven by professionalism, integrity, and a renewed commitment to curbing smuggling and economic sabotage,” he stated.
He also outlined the detrimental effects of smuggling on Nigeria’s economy and security.
Shuaibu described the illegal importation of rice as “economic sabotage,” undermining local production and threatening the Federal Government’s food self-sufficiency goals.
The CAC warned that smuggling cannabis fuels criminal activities, endangers lives, and jeopardizes community safety, vowing to collaborate with other security agencies to combat this menace.
Banned for health and economic reasons, used clothes discourage the growth of Nigeria’s textile industry, which has the potential to generate millions of jobs.
Shuaibu issued a stern warning to smugglers, pledging to match their activities with superior intelligence and lawful force.
“Smugglers must desist from their illegal activities or face the full weight of the law,” he said.
He also reassured law-abiding traders that the command’s operations target only violators of the law, promising to maintain an open-door policy and support legitimate trade.
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