Ogun Customs Generates ₦259.8m Revenue, Seizes ₦4.63bn Smuggled Goods In Three Months

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated ₦259.78 million in revenue and intercepted smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦4.63 billion between April 1 and June 23, 2026.

The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.

According to Afeni, the achievements reflect the command’s intensified efforts in revenue generation, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling operations across the Nigeria–Benin Republic border corridor.

Afeni said the command realised ₦259,777,346.89 from baggage assessments, auction sales of perishable goods, petroleum products and other statutory charges during the review period.

He noted that the figure represented a substantial increase compared to the ₦76.81 million generated during the corresponding period in 2025.

“The command recorded a revenue increase of ₦182.45 million, representing a 238 per cent growth over the same period last year. This was made possible through the resilience of our officers and strict enforcement of import and export regulations in line with extant laws,” he said.

The customs boss disclosed that operatives of the command recorded 146 seizures involving a wide range of prohibited and smuggled items.

Among the major interceptions was a truck carrying 2,427 smuggled pneumatic tyres, intercepted along the Ijebu-Ode corridor on June 3. The tyres were allegedly concealed under the guise of a vehicle marked “For Sale.”

In another operation conducted on June 16 along the Itori-Wasimi-Abeokuta route, customs officers intercepted a truck transporting 113 bags of foreign parboiled rice hidden beneath bags of cement.

According to Afeni, the driver attempted to evade arrest and endangered officers by refusing to stop when signalled.

“The driver ignored our officers’ signal to stop and attempted to ram into the patrol vehicle, thereby endangering the lives of our personnel. However, our officers acted professionally, brought the vehicle to a halt and apprehended the suspect,” he said.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, while the suspect is expected to face prosecution upon conclusion of inquiries.

The command also intercepted another truck carrying 630 bags of foreign rice along the Afamin-Igbogila axis on June 14.

Breakdown Of Seized Items

Afeni revealed that items seized during the period include:

2,807 bags of foreign parboiled rice

9,482 parcels of Cannabis Sativa

62 sacks of raw marijuana

16,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)

475 litres of diesel

7,642 pairs of footwear

2,427 pneumatic tyres

63 sacks of foreign sugar

73 bales of second-hand clothing

One used vehicle

10 bags of fertiliser

62 bags of imported flour

32 cartons of frozen products

100 sachets of Tramadol tablets

According to the command, the cumulative Duty Paid Value of the seizures stood at ₦4,628,591,970.16.

“These items were seized mainly because they fall under the import and export prohibition list and for failure to comply with extant regulations as provided under the Nigeria Customs Service Act,” Afeni explained.

The Acting Controller warned that smuggling continues to pose serious threats to local industries and economic growth.

“Allowing uncustomed goods of this nature into our markets directly undermines and paralyses local industries, ultimately worsening unemployment among our teeming youth. We remain resolute in our mandate to protect the national economy and secure our land borders,” he said.

Beyond anti-smuggling operations, Afeni disclosed that the command facilitated the export of 20,972 metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of ₦1.049 billion during the period under review.

He noted that no export activity was recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, making the latest performance a significant milestone.

The exports included white talc, crushed thermal coal and compressed natural gas (CNG).

“This represents a massive year-on-year improvement and demonstrates the growing role of the command in facilitating legitimate cross-border trade,” he said.

As part of ongoing inter-agency cooperation, the command handed over 6,981 parcels of Cannabis Indica, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud,” alongside 62 sacks of raw marijuana to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Similarly, seized pharmaceutical products were transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The items included:

77 cartons of Analgin injections containing 138,600 tubes

1,000 tablets of Tramadol (225mg)

Afeni described the handovers as evidence of growing collaboration among security and regulatory agencies in combating illicit trade and safeguarding public health.

The customs chief also highlighted ongoing security collaboration involving the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), NDLEA, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and security agencies from neighbouring Benin Republic.

According to him, the Joint Border Security Committee recently carried out coordinated operations targeting criminal hideouts and abandoned structures around the Idiroko-Igolo border corridor.

“Our joint border security force and sister agencies remain united in ensuring that this area remains hostile and unfavourable for criminal activities,” he said.

Afeni commended officers and men of the Ogun I Area Command for their professionalism and dedication and thanked security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, media organisations and residents for their continued support in combating smuggling and other cross-border crimes.