Ogun Customs Seizes N3.57bn Contraband, Warns Smugglers
The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, says it has intercepted prohibited goods with a combined duty-paid value of N3.57 billion, as the command intensifies its fight against smuggling and other cross-border crimes. The Acting Customs Area Controller, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday while presenting the seized items at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State. According to Afeni, the seizures were made between June 24 and August 13, 2026. They include 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica cannabis, 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice and 30 bags of foreign sugar. Also seized were 11,450 litres of Premium Motor Spirit in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums and 30 25-litre kegs of diesel. Other items include 100 bags of fertiliser, 67 bales of second-hand clothing, 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers, 3,760 new tops, 85 fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Haven drinks, 53 packages of oats, 47 cartons of cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, three packages of surgical shoes and 127 new purses.
Customs put the total value of the seizures at N3,574,435,248.08. Afeni said the command is relying on intelligence gathering, technology and increased enforcement to make smuggling operations more difficult. He warned that the illegal importation of foreign rice threatens local farmers, businesses and jobs, while undermining efforts to boost domestic food production. On the cannabis seizures, Afeni described drug smuggling as a serious threat to communities and said Customs was working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to disrupt trafficking networks. He disclosed that, since January 2026, the command had handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw Cannabis sativa to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command. The command also generated N90,066,164 in July 2026 from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable goods, PMS and other charges. During the period under review, it recorded 10,110 metric tonnes of exports, valued at N2,594,078,654 on a Free On Board basis. Afeni warned smugglers and criminal syndicates against using Ogun border routes to move prohibited goods, saying seized items would continue to be confiscated, vehicles impounded and offenders prosecuted. He also called on traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to report suspicious activities, while urging Nigerians to support locally produced goods, particularly rice, to strengthen domestic industries, create jobs and improve food security. The seized narcotics were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command for further investigation.
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