Ogun Customs Crackdown On Smugglers, Intercepts N1.35bn Contraband In Six Weeks

The Ogun 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted various contraband items valued at N1.35 billion during anti-smuggling operations conducted over the past six weeks.

Items seized by the command include 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to two trailer loads; 2,547 parcels of cannabis sativa of different sizes; and 545 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totalling 13,625 litres, equivalent to a tanker load.

Also intercepted were four live pangolins, which have been handed over to Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation.

Other seized items include 36 cartons of Bardinet syrup, eight packs of perfume oil, 13 used tyres, 50 bags of imported sugar, eight bales of second-hand clothing, 15 sacks of used clothing, five sacks of used ladies’ handbags, two sacks of used footwear, two used vehicles, and two antiquities.

Speaking with journalists, the Customs Area Controller of the command, acting Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the seizures send a strong signal to individuals unwilling to embrace legitimate trade.



According to him, the command will continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities to promote economic stability and protect legitimate businesses.

Afeni disclosed that in the command’s ongoing effort to curb unfair competition against local producers, officers acting on intelligence patrol around the Agbara axis on March 11, 2026, intercepted a truck with registration number APP-740-YD conveying 2,539 kegs of vegetable oil, each containing 25 litres.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the items were smuggled through the creeks in small consignments. A full investigation is ongoing,” he said.



He added that the seizure followed an earlier operation on March 4, 2026, when officers intercepted a Sino truck loaded with 4,325 cartons of foreign spaghetti weighing 10kg each, pointing to a persistent trend in the smuggling of essential commodities.

According to him, the series of interceptions underscores the command’s determination to suppress smuggling and protect local industries.

“By removing these illicit goods from the market, we are ensuring a competitive trade environment that protects our local vegetable oil industry and safeguards the health of our citizens in line with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated.



Afeni also assured that with the backing of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the command will intensify efforts to combat smuggling of vegetable oil and other prohibited items.

“I want to assure the general public that the command, with the full backing of the CGC, will do all it takes to ensure that smuggling of vegetable oil and other prohibited items suffocates and eventually collapses,” he said.

The acting comptroller further disclosed that some of the seized items have been handed over to relevant government agencies.

“In line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, we are formally transferring custody of 2,547 intercepted parcels of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command,” he said.

He explained that the cannabis consignment included 2,055 coconut-size parcels weighing 710kg and 15 bread-size parcels weighing 381kg.

Similarly, two antiquities recovered during the operations have been transferred to the National Museum, Baptist Girls’ College, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, after expert appraisal, in a move aimed at preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

Afeni reiterated that the command remains resolute in its anti-smuggling campaign.

“Our war on smuggling continues. Although smugglers may attempt new tactics to evade our checks, they will remain unsuccessful. Through high-level intelligence and strategic monitoring, we are always one step ahead of economic saboteurs,” he said.

He added that the command’s priority remains safeguarding Nigeria’s borders against activities that could undermine national security or violate international trade regulations.

Afeni also commended Nigerians, particularly members of the business community and the media, for their continued support and balanced reporting.