….Seizures’ DPV put at N2.47bn, 3,893 cannabis Parcels Handed Over To NDLEA
Daud Olatunji
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 1.878 tonnes of suspected cannabis, 428 pneumatic tyres and thousands of litres of petroleum products in its anti-smuggling operations across the state.
The Acting Area Controller of the command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this during a press conference at the command headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State, where he presented the operational performance of the command.
Afeni said the command also seized 24 bales of second-hand clothing, four sacks of used shoes, 8,675 litres of Premium Motor Spirit in kegs and 500 litres of diesel.
According to him, the seizures recorded within the period had a combined Duty Paid Value of N2,469,153,523.68.
He said the command’s operations were driven by intelligence gathering, strengthened border surveillance and collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies.
Afeni stated, “Our relentless anti-smuggling drives have dealt severe blows to illicit trade networks operating across Ogun State.”
He added that the command had maintained a zero-tolerance approach towards activities capable of undermining the nation’s economy and border security.
The Customs boss said one of the major highlights of the operation was the seizure of a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530.
He put the stated value of the vehicle at N417,011,982,000, although the figure supplied in the briefing requires clarification as it appears unusually high for a single vehicle and may contain a typographical error.
Afeni said the vehicle was among the seizures made by officers of the command as part of efforts to prevent the movement of improperly imported or uncustomed goods through the Ogun border corridors.
As part of the command’s inter-agency cooperation, Afeni announced the handover of 3,893 parcels of cannabis to the Idiroko Special Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation.
He said the development demonstrated the importance of cooperation among security agencies in tackling cross-border criminal activities.
“Border security is a collective responsibility,” the acting controller stated, noting that the Customs command had strengthened its operational relationship with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA and environmental management agencies.
He said the command had also held high-level joint security meetings over the past 10 months to harmonise operations along the Ogun border corridors.
While highlighting the command’s enforcement activities, Afeni said Customs remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade and improving revenue collection.
He said the command had deployed duty collection, baggage assessment and physical examination procedures at designated border points to ensure compliance while reducing bottlenecks affecting legitimate businesses.
According to him, import and export verification processes had also been optimised to facilitate compliant trade.
He listed some of the sensitive commodities receiving regulatory attention to include mica stone, CNG, white talc and crushed thermal coal.
Afeni said the command’s mandate was not limited to seizures but also included ensuring that legitimate traders could conduct their businesses within the framework of the law.
Community engagement
The acting controller further disclosed that the command had sustained engagement with traditional rulers, youth leaders and border community associations as part of efforts to build trust and reduce tensions during enforcement operations.
He said Customs’ activities also extended to corporate social responsibility and environmental initiatives aimed at supporting host communities.
Afeni commended officers and men of the command for their resilience and dedication, while acknowledging the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the service.
He also disclosed that the Ogun I Area Command emerged as champion in volleyball during the Inter-Command Athletic Competitions held in August and September 2026.
Issuing a warning to smugglers, Afeni said, “Ogun I Command will continue to be a hostile zone for uncustomed goods and illicit trade.”
He said the command would remain focused on protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and national security.
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