Ogun Customs intercept N3.57bn contraband, promise smugglers tougher time

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The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted 6,035 parcels of cannabis, 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and other prohibited items with a combined duty-paid value of N3.57bn.

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The Acting Customs Area Controller of the command, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday while parading the seized items at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.

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Afeni said the seizures were recorded between June 24 and August 13, 2026, as part of the command’s intensified crackdown on smuggling and other cross-border crimes.

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He said, “The seized items included 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica, 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 11,450 litres of Premium Motor Spirit in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums and 30 25-litre kegs of diesel.

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“Other seized items are 100 bags of fertiliser, 67 bales of second-hand clothing, 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers, 3,760 pieces of new tops, 85 fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Haven drinks, 53 packages of oats, 47 cartons of cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, three packages of surgical shoes and 127 new purses, with the total duty-paid value of the seizures put at N3,574,435,248.08.”

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The acting controller said the command had intensified its operations against smugglers through intelligence gathering, technology and increased enforcement, warning that it would make operations increasingly difficult for those involved in illicit trade.

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He said, “Smuggling is often painted by perpetrators as a harmless commercial venture or a simple means of survival. Today, I am here to clear that misconception and lay bare the severe dangers that the smuggling of foreign rice and other prohibited items poses to us all.

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“When foreign rice is smuggled into our markets, it undermines our local farmers and agricultural investors. Our government and local entrepreneurs have invested billions to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.”

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Afeni said the continued smuggling of foreign rice could force local mills out of business, worsen unemployment and undermine the Federal Government’s efforts to promote domestic agricultural production.

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He added, “By buying smuggled foreign grain instead of locally processed rice, we effectively export jobs to other countries while worsening unemployment and poverty at home.”

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On the seized cannabis, the Customs chief said the drugs posed a serious threat to young Nigerians and communities, adding that the agency was working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to disrupt drug trafficking networks.

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“Smuggling of cannabis and dangerous variants like Ghana Loud, Colorado and Cannabis sativa is not a victimless crime. It destroys lives, breeds violence in our neighbourhoods and undermines our economy,” he said.

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Afeni disclosed that the command had, from January 2026 to date, handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw Cannabis sativa to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command.

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He stressed that inter-agency collaboration remained critical to the fight against drug trafficking and other forms of cross-border criminality.

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The Customs boss also disclosed that the command generated N90,066,164 in July 2026 from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable goods, PMS and other charges.

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On exports, Afeni said the command recorded a total export volume of 10,110 metric tonnes, with a Free On Board value of N2,594,078,654 during the period under review.

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Afeni warned smugglers and criminal syndicates against using the Ogun border corridors as transit routes for prohibited goods, saying the command would continue to seize contraband, impound vehicles and prosecute offenders.

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“To the syndicates and smugglers who think they can use Ogun I Command as a transit route for poison, hear this clearly: We are adapting faster than you are. If you do not trade legitimately, we will continue to seize your goods, impound your vehicles and send you to prison,” he warned.

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He appealed to traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to assist security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.

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Afeni also urged Nigerians to patronise locally produced agricultural and manufactured goods, particularly rice, saying such support would help strengthen domestic industries, create jobs and promote food security.

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He commended officers of the command for their commitment to the fight against smuggling and expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his support and leadership.

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The seized narcotics were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command in line with established procedures for further investigation.

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