Crackdown pays off as Ogun I Customs seizes ₦2.7bn smuggled items, beats 2025 revenue target

Adisa Olamilekan

Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has transferred seized cannabis sativa, arms and ammunition, and other prohibited items to relevant sister agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in line with inter-agency collaboration efforts.

The handover took place during a press briefing at the Idiroko border, where Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, also outlined the command’s operational successes in 2025 and January 2026.

The Ag. Controller noted that in 2025, the command generated ₦454.67 million, a 47% increase compared to ₦275.83 million in 2024. He announced that between January 1–28, 2026, revenue stood at ₦106.27 million, an 84.3% rise from ₦89.58 million in the same period last year.

According to the Controller, the Command recorded 487 seizures in 2025 with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦4.13 billion, up from ₦1.79 billion in 2024.
The items seized included 22,725 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 2,669 kegs of PMS, 13,332 parcels of cannabis sativa, 2,128 rounds of cartridges, 1,315 explosives,
foreign used vehicles, clothing, tyres, narcotics, arms and ammunition.

The duty paid value of January 2026 seizures amounted to ₦721.45 million, including rice, cannabis, PMS, locally made rifles, cartridges, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and traditional artefacts.

Comptroller Afeni stressed that the interception of explosives and live ammunition was particularly critical, warning of the devastating consequences if such items had reached criminal hands.

3,623 parcels of cannabis sativa were handed over to NDLEA, while arms and ammunition, including cartridges, explosives, dane guns, and pistols, were handed over to NCCSALW. NAFDAC took custody of Received unregistered drug products for investigation.

The Controller expressed alarm over the rising incidence of narcotics smuggling, noting 56 drug-related seizures in 2025 and 10 more within the first 29 days of 2026. He also condemned recent attacks on Customs officers in the Akokoro area of Imeko, where smugglers opened fire and damaged patrol vehicles, warning that such acts would not be tolerated.

Comptroller Afeni commended Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and praised officers for their professionalism. He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and the public to discourage smuggling and provide credible intelligence to security agencies forward in 2026, Ogun I Area Command remains resolute in protecting the economy, securing our borders, and facilitating legitimate trade for national development,” he affirmed.