The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a major success in its anti-smuggling operations, intercepting contraband items worth over N721 million within the first 28 days of January 2026.
The Acting Area Comptroller of the command, Controller Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko, a major border town between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
According to Afeni, the seizures were made through sustained patrols, intelligence-led operations, and strong cooperation with other security agencies, border communities, and traditional institutions in the area.
He said the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items stood at N721,453,612, describing the development as a major boost to national security and economic protection.
Items intercepted by the command include 1,042 bags of smuggled foreign rice, each weighing 50kg, 3,738 parcels of cannabis sativa, and 780 used tyres. Others are two locally made rifles, 198 pieces of cartridges, 473 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) amounting to 11,825 litres, six used vehicles, and one means of conveyance used for smuggling.
Additional seized items include four sacks of 25kg caffeine anhydrous, 72 packs of Soduku plant extraction toothpaste (120g), 84 packs of Soduku Vitamin D (108g each), and two pieces of traditional carvings suspected to be antiquities.
Afeni explained that arms and ammunition are classified under Schedule 4 of the Absolute Prohibition List of the Nigeria Customs Service, meaning they are strictly banned from being imported into the country.
“It might interest you to know that arms and ammunition are on the absolute prohibition list. Any attempt to smuggle such items into Nigeria is a serious threat to national security,” he said.
He added that the two traditional carvings seized would be sent for expert examination to determine whether they are protected cultural items and to decide the next line of action.
The customs boss warned that if such weapons and explosives had entered the country and fallen into the wrong hands, the consequences could have been severe.
“This monumental seizure is commendable, especially at a time of heightened insecurity across the country. If over 1,300 explosives and thousands of rounds of live ammunition had escaped into society, the damage would have been devastating,” Afeni said.
Nigeria has continued to battle various security challenges, including banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping, and drug-related crimes. Border communities, especially in the South-West, are often targeted by smugglers who take advantage of porous borders to move illegal goods into the country.
Ogun State, which shares a long border with Benin Republic, is considered a major smuggling route for items such as rice, used vehicles, fuel, drugs, and small arms. The Nigerian Customs Service has therefore increased surveillance and enforcement activities in the area in recent years.
Afeni said the recent success recorded by the Ogun I Command was due to strong collaboration with sister agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the military, the police, and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
He noted that host communities and traditional rulers also played a key role by providing timely information and supporting customs officers in their duties.
“The achievement recorded is a result of robust collaboration with all government agencies operating at the Idiroko–Igolo border, as well as the support of host communities and traditional institutions,” he said.
The acting comptroller also announced that the command generated and remitted N106 billion to the federation account in January 2026. According to him, this figure represents a significant increase compared to the N89.6 million collected in the same period last year, marking an 84.3 per cent rise.
He explained that the revenue was generated through duties from baggage assessment, proceeds from auction sales of seized Premium Motor Spirit, and other legitimate customs processes.
“This shows that while we are blocking revenue leakages through smuggling, we are also improving lawful revenue collection for the government,” Afeni said.
He further revealed that in the whole of 2025, the Ogun I Command recorded a total of 487 seizures with a combined Duty Paid Value of N4.1 billion. This was a major increase when compared to the DPV of N1.79 billion recorded in 2024.
The steady rise in seizures, he said, shows both the scale of smuggling activities and the improved effectiveness of customs operations in the state.
As part of standard procedure, Afeni disclosed that the seized parcels of cannabis sativa had already been handed over to the NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and prosecution.
He also said that arms and ammunition seized, including 2,128 red star cartridges, 1,315 pieces of explosives, 11 Dane guns, two revolver pistols, and two locally made guns, would be handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, South-West Zone.
The National Centre is responsible for controlling the spread of illegal arms and light weapons in Nigeria, a major factor linked to violent crimes and insecurity.
Afeni assured the public that the Ogun I Command would continue to act decisively to protect the country’s borders, economy, and cultural heritage.
“Ogun I Command under my watch will not tolerate smuggling or theft of antiquities. We will continue to protect our national legacy and economic interests,” he said.
He also called on traders and residents to comply with customs laws and avoid involvement in illegal activities, stressing that cooperation from the public makes enforcement easier and more effective.
As Nigeria continues efforts to strengthen border security and tackle crime, the latest seizures by the Ogun I Area Command highlight the key role of the Nigerian Customs Service in safeguarding the nation from dangerous goods and boosting government revenue.
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