Ogun 1 Area Command Intensifies Its Anti-Smuggling Operations
By Asuquo Nuwak
Ogun 1 Area Command Intensifies Its Anti-Smuggling Operations
••• Intercepts cannabis, foreign rice, petroleum products, vegetable oil, and other prohibited goods with Duty Paid Value DPV of N6.77 billion
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its anti-smuggling operations with the interception of cannabis, foreign rice, petroleum products, vegetable oil, and other prohibited goods with the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦6.77 billion.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller O.O. Afeni, who disclosed the seizures during a press briefing held recently in Idiroko, Ogun State, also said the command recorded the seizures within 41 days through renewed intelligence-led enforcement operations aimed at securing Nigeria’s land borders, dismantling smuggling syndicates, and protecting the national economy.
Accordingly, he said the command has made a total of 73 seizures during the period under, including 1,759 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice and 10,126 parcels of cannabis indica, otherwise known as Ghana Loud, weighing 4,627 kilograms with an estimated street value exceeding ₦5 billion.
Significantly, he recalled that the command had earlier, on March 16, 2026, handed over 2,543 parcels of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Special Command in Idiroko as part of ongoing inter-agency collaboration against illicit drug trafficking.
Further breakdown of the intercepted items include 2,685 kegs of vegetable oil, 14,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 66 bales of second-hand clothing, 46 bags of foreign sugar, 77 cartons of Analgin injections without NAFDAC registration, 50 cartons of expired seasoning cubes, used vehicles, footwear, handbags, cartons of basmati rice, and organic honey.
In the same vein, he said the command also rescued six live pangolins, which were subsequently handed over to relevant authorities, highlighting customs’ continued role in combating wildlife trafficking in line with international environmental protocols.
Still, Afeni pointed out that cannabis abuse remains a serious threat to public safety and national security, linking its growing circulation to crimes such as kidnapping, terrorism, cultism, armed robbery, and banditry.
He disclosed that from January to date, the command has removed over 26,000 parcels of cannabis from circulation, describing the seizures as strategic interventions to reduce drug-related crimes and social harm.
Commenting on rice smuggling, Afeni reiterated that the federal government’s continued restriction on rice importation through land borders is intended to boost local production, support farmers, and reduce dependence on imports.
He also highlighted the command’s clampdown on vegetable oil smuggling, revealing that officers intercepted a DAF truck carrying 2,185 kegs of vegetable oil along the Shagamu Interchange–Ogere road on May 5, following intelligence-driven surveillance.
Indeed, he said the excessive importation of vegetable oil undermines local manufacturers, contributes to job losses, and may expose consumers to substandard or adulterated products.
He however disclosed that since assuming office, the command has seized 12,271 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil.
He said beyond anti-smuggling operations, the command has generated ₦125.43 million in revenue between March 16 and May 12, 2026, through baggage assessments and the auction of seized petroleum products.
He said it is noteworthy to state further that the command facilitated the export of 95 metric tonnes of goods valued at over ₦1 billion Free on Board (FOB), reflecting growing trade activity within its operational corridor.
The command, according to him, has commenced the deployment of advanced geospatial technology as part of the modernisation drive championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to strengthen border surveillance and improve enforcement efficiency.
At the end of the press briefing, the acting controller commended sister agencies, including the Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Police, and NDLEA, for their continued collaboration in tackling smuggling and cross-border crimes across Ogun State.
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