In a move aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and deepening community relations, the Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Area Command, Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, paid a strategic courtesy visit to the palace of His Royal Majesty, Dr. Yisa Sola Adeniyi Olaniyan, the Onipokia of Ipokia Kingdom.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the Comptroller to engage with other respected traditional rulers and community leaders of the kingdom, underscoring the Command’s commitment to sustained partnership, mutual understanding, and collective responsibility in promoting security and lawful trade within the area.
This was revealed in a statement by Chado Zakari, Deputy Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer, Ogun I Area Command, issued on behalf of the Ag. Customs Area Controller.
During the visit, Comptroller Afeni expressed appreciation to the monarchs for their warm reception and their sustained role in maintaining peace and stability within the kingdom. Describing Ipokia as home, he emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration with traditional institutions in line with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ policy thrust on synergy and community engagement.
The Acting Controller noted that traditional rulers remain critical partners in the suppression of smuggling and the enhancement of national security.
He reiterated the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service, which include trade facilitation, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling operations, while urging the traditional council to continue sensitizing members of the public on the dangers of illicit trade and its negative impact on national security and economic growth.
Comptroller Afeni further highlighted the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, explaining that such programmes are aimed at discouraging smuggling and promoting sustainable development within host communities.
In response, His Royal Majesty, Oba Yisa Sola Adeniyi Olaniyan, commended the Comptroller-General’s transformative leadership and commitment to global best practices, while welcoming Comptroller Afeni as a “son of the soil” and pledging the unwavering support and cooperation of the Ipokia Kingdom.
The monarch encouraged the Acting Controller to carry out his responsibilities “without fear or favour,” reaffirming that Ipokia remains a peaceful and law-abiding community committed to supporting the Federal Government’s economic objectives.