Chigozie Daniel
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its anti smuggling offensive with the interception of prohibited items valued at over N6.7 billion across border communities in Ogun State.
Addressing journalists in Idiroko on Tuesday, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the command recorded 73 seizures within 41 days through coordinated intelligence driven operations targeting economic saboteurs and transborder criminal networks.
Afeni disclosed that the seizures included 10,126 parcels of cannabis indica popularly known as Ghana Loud, weighing 4,627 kilograms with an estimated street value exceeding N5 billion.
The command also intercepted 1,759 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 2,685 kegs of vegetable oil, 14,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 46 bags of foreign sugar, 858 packs of macaroni, cartons of expired food products, unregistered pharmaceutical injections and several other prohibited imports.
According to him, the cumulative Duty Paid Value of all seized items stood at N6,777,236,000, describing the development as a major breakthrough in the fight against smuggling and illicit trade along the nation’s borders.
He revealed that the command had earlier, on March 16, handed over 2,543 parcels of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Idiroko Special Command, stressing that the latest operation demonstrated the command’s renewed resolve against drug trafficking.
Afeni stated that from January till date, Ogun I Command had removed a total of 26,002 parcels of cannabis from circulation, warning that unchecked drug abuse remained a growing threat to national security and public safety.
He linked the proliferation of narcotics to rising incidents of cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism and other violent crimes, particularly among youths.
The Customs boss explained that the Federal Government’s restriction on rice importation through land borders was aimed at strengthening local production and attaining food sufficiency, urging Nigerians to support policies that protect domestic industries.
He warned that continued smuggling of foreign rice and vegetable oil would undermine local manufacturers, weaken agricultural investments and trigger job losses within Nigeria’s food production chain.
Highlighting one of the major interceptions, Afeni disclosed that officers intercepted a DAF truck along the Shagamu Interchange Ogere corridor on May 5 and discovered 2,185 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil concealed inside the vehicle after a thorough physical examination.
He added that another Volvo truck intercepted on May 7 along the same route was found conveying 77 cartons of Analgin injections without registration numbers, 50 cartons of expired seasoning cubes, 226 sacks of Basmati rice, used clothing, footwears, handbags and other contraband items.
The command also confirmed the rescue of six live pangolins which have since been transferred to the appropriate wildlife protection agency for further action.
Beyond enforcement activities, Afeni announced that the command generated N125.4 million between March 16 and May 12 through baggage assessment and auction of seized petroleum products paid into the Federation Account.
He further disclosed that the command facilitated exports valued at over N1 billion Free On Board, noting that efforts were ongoing to eliminate operational bottlenecks and promote seamless cross border trade for compliant traders.
Afeni said the command had now commenced a transition into digital enforcement operations in line with the modernisation agenda of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, with the deployment of advanced geospatial intelligence technology to monitor smuggling routes and strengthen border surveillance across Ogun State.
He commended the support of sister security agencies including the Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Police Force and the NDLEA, while reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting the nation’s economy, safeguarding legitimate trade and sustaining pressure against smugglers operating along Nigeria’s borders.