The Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Command, Deputy Comptroller OO Afeni, has announced the interception of prohibited items worth over N6.7 billion, including large quantities of cannabis indica, foreign rice, vegetable oil, petroleum products, and other contraband within the Command’s Area of Responsibility.
Speaking during a press briefing held in Idiroko on Tuesday, Deputy Comptroller Afeni said the Command remained committed to dismantling smuggling networks, protecting Nigeria’s economy, and strengthening border security through intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration.
According to him, the Command recorded 73 seizures within 41 days through renewed enforcement strategies anchored on the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Federal Government’s fiscal policies.
Among the seized items were 1,759 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 10,126 parcels of cannabis indica popularly known as “Ghana Loud” weighing about 4,627 kilograms with an estimated street value exceeding N5 billion, 2,685 kegs of vegetable oil, 14,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 66 bales of secondhand clothing, 46 bags of foreign sugar, and 77 cartons of Analgin injections without NAFDAC registration numbers.
Other confiscated items included cartons of expired seasoning cubes, used vehicles, footwears, organic honey, spaghetti, macaroni, handbags, diesel, and six live pangolins already handed over to the appropriate agency for further action.
Afeni disclosed that the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items stood at N6,777,236,000, noting that the interceptions were made at different locations across Ogun State through intensified intelligence gathering and coordinated patrol operations.
Highlighting the dangers posed by cannabis trafficking, the Customs boss warned that the increasing abuse of illicit drugs among youths remains a major threat to national security, linking it to crimes such as armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, terrorism, and banditry.
He revealed that from January to date, the Command had seized a total of 26,002 parcels of cannabis, describing the interceptions as a significant step toward preventing a worsening drug crisis and reducing pressure on the nation’s healthcare and rehabilitation systems.
On rice smuggling, Afeni reiterated that land border importation of foreign rice remained prohibited to encourage local production and ensure food sufficiency. He urged Nigerians to support government policies aimed at strengthening local industries and protecting the nation’s economy.
The Acting Controller also detailed the interception of a DAF truck loaded with 2,185 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil along the Shagamu Interchange/Ogere axis on May 5, 2026. He noted that the unchecked influx of imported vegetable oil threatens local producers, undermines agricultural development, and poses serious health risks due to the possibility of adulterated products entering the market.
Similarly, he disclosed that another truck intercepted along the same corridor on May 7 contained prohibited pharmaceutical products, expired food items, foreign rice, used clothes, footwears, vegetable oil, and other contraband goods.
Despite its anti-smuggling operations, the Command also recorded revenue generation of ₦125.4 million between March 16 and May 12, 2026 through baggage assessments and auction sales of seized petroleum products.
Afeni further revealed that the Command facilitated the export of 95 metric tonnes of goods valued at over ₦1 billion Free On Board (FOB), describing it as a sign of improving cross-border trade activities.
He assured compliant traders of the Command’s continued support, emphasizing that Customs was deploying intelligence-led enforcement and digital surveillance technology to eliminate unnecessary checkpoints while creating a more efficient trade corridor for legitimate businesses.
The Ogun I Area Command, he added, has commenced the deployment of advanced geospatial technology in line with the modernization agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, aimed at enhancing border monitoring and improving operational efficiency.
Afeni expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, sister security agencies including the NDLEA, DSS, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Police Force, and other stakeholders for their collaboration and support in combating smuggling and safeguarding the nation’s economy.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to patriotism, economic protection, and national security, pledging sustained efforts to make Ogun State and Nigeria hostile territories for smugglers and economic saboteurs.
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