IDIROKO, Ogun State — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted 43 consignments of smuggled goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦3.153 billion within 15 days of Comptroller Abdulhamid Ibrahim assuming office as the Acting Customs Area Controller.
The seizures, recorded between September 29 and October 15, 2026, included foreign-made pasta, parboiled rice, unregistered pharmaceutical products, cannabis sativa, premium motor spirit (PMS), used vehicles, second-hand clothing, footwear and other prohibited items.
Speaking during his maiden press briefing at the command's headquarters in Idiroko on Thursday, October 15, Ibrahim attributed the achievements to intensified surveillance, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies and community stakeholders.
He reaffirmed the command's commitment to combating smuggling, protecting national security, safeguarding public health and enforcing compliance with relevant trade laws.
Ibrahim said the operations were being conducted in line with the leadership and strategic direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD.
CUSTOMS INTERCEPTS FIVE TRUCKS
Highlighting some of the command's major achievements, Ibrahim disclosed that three trucks conveying foreign-made pasta and other goods were intercepted on October 2, 2026, at about 4:30 a.m., following intelligence received by a patrol team.
According to him, the trucks were taken to the command headquarters for physical examination in accordance with Section 227 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The examination revealed that the first truck, a Sino Truck Howo with registration number MSW-232-XA, was conveying 2,740 cartons of foreign Siddo pasta concealed with 500 cartons of Oki condensed milk.
The second truck, a Howo with registration number TFA-674-XA, contained 6,000 cartons of foreign Ginny pasta, while the third, an Iveco Elco truck with registration number KMC-702-ZR, was found to be carrying 6,500 cartons of foreign Doga pasta.
In another operation on October 4, at about 1:34 a.m., the command intercepted a Dangote truck with registration number FZE-552-DA along the Afamin–Dangote–Itori axis of Ogun State.
The truck was reportedly conveying 100 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed beneath mica and gypsum stones.
Ibrahim also disclosed that a 10-tyre truck with registration number AKL-456-XL was intercepted on October 11.
A physical examination reportedly revealed 321 army camouflage face caps and 27,831 assorted unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine cough syrup, injections, eye drops and supplements without National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration numbers.
He described the interception of unregistered medicines and restricted military camouflage items as significant, warning that such goods could pose serious risks to public health and national security.
The controller said the five intercepted trucks, valued at ₦1.235 billion, would be forfeited to the Federal Government in accordance with Section 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
OTHER SEIZURES INCLUDE CANNABIS, 13 VEHICLES
Beyond the five trucks, the command recorded additional seizures involving several categories of prohibited and restricted goods.
The items included 4,013 units of cannabis sativa, one wrap of Canadian loud, 950 litres of premium motor spirit stored in kegs, and 660 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50 kilogrammes each.
Other seized goods were four bundles of used pneumatic tyres, 106 bales of second-hand clothing, 1,320 pairs of smuggled new shoes, 3,700 pairs of used shoes, 252 imported face caps and 1,250 foreign-used bags.
The command also seized 13 foreign-used vehicles, comprising a 2008 Hyundai Tucson, three 2013 Honda CR-V vehicles, a 2019 Toyota Venza, a 2022 Lexus LX 600, a 2013 Lexus ES 350, a 2013 Toyota Camry XLE, a 2006 Toyota Avensis Verso, a 2002 Peugeot 406, a 2009 Ford Galaxy and a 2006 Nissan Almera.
Ibrahim said the total Duty Paid Value of all the seizures stood at ₦3,153,591,000, describing the development as evidence of the command's determination to curb smuggling and economic sabotage.
He expressed particular concern over the seizure of cannabis sativa, citing its potential consequences for young people, public health and national security.
According to him, the command would sustain its enforcement operations to prevent the circulation of prohibited goods, protect local industries and strengthen compliance with Nigeria's import and trade regulations.
CUSTOMS TO HAND OVER CANNABIS TO NDLEA
As part of efforts to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, Ibrahim announced that the seized cannabis sativa would be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and necessary action.
He emphasised that cooperation among security agencies remained essential to tackling cross-border crimes and other threats to national security.
The controller commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership, support and commitment to improving operational efficiency across the service.
He also praised officers and men of the Ogun I Area Command for their dedication, courage and professionalism, noting that their efforts had contributed significantly to the seizures recorded within the period under review.
Ibrahim further acknowledged the contributions of sister security agencies, traditional institutions, community stakeholders and youths, describing security as a collective responsibility.
He equally commended members of the press for their role in informing the public and supporting efforts to combat smuggling.
SMUGGLERS WARNED
The customs controller warned smugglers and their collaborators to desist from illegal activities, declaring that the command would not tolerate economic sabotage.
He pledged to sustain intelligence-led patrols, strengthen operational partnerships and deploy lawful enforcement measures to prevent smuggling across the command's area of responsibility.
Ibrahim assured residents and legitimate traders that the command would remain committed to professionalism, integrity and the effective discharge of its statutory responsibilities.
He called for continued cooperation from the media and the public, stressing that collective action was necessary to protect the nation's economy, public health and security.
Editorial note before publication: The source statement contains a few figures and details worth verifying:
₦3.153 billion: The figure is presented as the total value of all seizures, while the five trucks alone are valued at ₦1.235 billion. Confirm that the overall valuation is correct.
43 seizures: Confirm whether the 43 seizures refer to 43 separate consignments, as the report uses the terms interchangeably.
Vehicle descriptions: Verify the description of the 2009 Ford Galaxy and the 2006 Toyota Avensis Verso against the official seizure inventory.
Drug quantities: Confirm whether the 4,013 units of cannabis sativa represent wraps, parcels, kilogrammes or another unit of measurement.
Date of assumption of office: The statement says Comptroller Ibrahim assumed office on September 29 and describes October 15 as exactly 15 days later. The elapsed period is 16 days, although October 15 is the 15th day when September 29 is counted as day one.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment