Customs generates ₦259.8m revenue, seizes contraband worth ₦4.6bn in Ogun
By Omobolaji Adekunle
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, has announced that the Command generated ₦259.8 million in revenue and recorded seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over ₦4.6 billion between April 1 and June 23, 2026.
Afeni disclosed this during a press briefing held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the Command Headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State, where he highlighted the Command’s achievements in revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, and border security during the second quarter of the year.
According to him, the Command collected a total revenue of ₦259,777,346.89 from baggage assessments, auction sales of perishable items, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and other charges.
He explained that the amount represents a significant increase when compared to the ₦76,814,207 generated during the same period in 2025, indicating a revenue growth of about 238 per cent.
The Customs boss attributed the achievement to the resilience, professionalism, and commitment of officers and men of the Command in ensuring strict compliance with import and export regulations.
Afeni stated that the Command remained unwavering in enforcing government fiscal policies and trade guidelines, resulting in the interception of 146 seizures comprising cannabis sativa, foreign parboiled rice, petroleum products, footwear, vehicles, and other prohibited items.
Giving details of some of the notable interceptions, he revealed that on June 3, 2026, Customs operatives intercepted a truck along the Ijebu-Ode axis conveying 2,427 smuggled pneumatic tyres.
The truck carried a deceptive “For Sale” inscription intended to divert the attention of Customs officers.
He further disclosed that on June 16, 2026, a patrol team acting on intelligence intercepted a truck loaded with 113 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed beneath bags of cement along the Itori-Wasimi-Abeokuta axis.
According to him, the driver ignored signals to stop and attempted to ram into the patrol vehicle before officers professionally brought the vehicle under control and apprehended the suspect.
Another major seizure occurred on June 14, 2026, when officers intercepted a truck along the Afamin-Igbogila axis loaded with 630 bags of foreign parboiled rice.
Afeni noted that smuggling activities undermine local industries, weaken the economy, and contribute to unemployment, stressing that the Command would continue to protect the nation’s economic interests.
The total volume of seizures recorded during the period included 2,807 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 9,482 parcels of cannabis sativa, 62 sacks of raw marijuana, 16,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 475 litres of diesel, 7,642 pieces of footwear, 2,427 pneumatic tyres, 63 sacks of foreign sugar, 73 bales of second-hand clothing, one used vehicle, 10 bags of fertilizer, 62 bags of imported flour, 32 cartons of frozen products, 77 cartons of Analgin injection, and 100 sachets of 225mg Tramadol.
The Acting Controller disclosed that the cumulative Duty Paid Value of the seized items stood at ₦4,628,591,970.16.
On export trade performance, Afeni revealed that the Command recorded an export volume of 20,972 metric tonnes with a Free On Board (FOB) value of ₦1,049,020,400.
He described the development as a major achievement considering that no export activities were recorded during the same period in 2025.
The exported products included white talc, crushed thermal coal, and compressed natural gas (CNG).
Speaking on border security, Afeni said the Joint Border Security Committee, which comprises Nigerian and Beninese security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NDLEA, and Federal Road Safety Corps, had intensified efforts to combat criminal activities along the Nigeria-Benin Republic border.
He disclosed that coordinated operations targeting criminal hideouts and abandoned structures around the Idiroko-Igolo border corridor had significantly disrupted the activities of smugglers and other criminal elements.
As part of ongoing inter-agency collaboration, the Command handed over 6,981 parcels of Cannabis Indica (Ghanaian Loud) and 62 sacks of raw marijuana to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary action.
The Command also handed over seized pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The items included 77 cartons of Analgin injections containing 138,600 tubes and 100 sachets of Tramadol containing 1,000 tablets of 225mg each.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Christiana Mojisola Adeyeye, and the Director of Ports Inspection Directorate, Dr. Oladiran Kunle Daniel, Ada Daniel Ahangba, a representative of NAFDAC, commended the Chairman of the Joint Border Security Forces and Controller of Ogun I Area Command for the successful operation.
She described drug traffickers and counterfeit drug manufacturers as dangerous criminals whose activities pose serious threats to public health and national security.
According to her, fake and unregistered medicines not only deprive citizens of their resources but also expose them to severe health complications and possible death.
She urged Nigerians to support security and regulatory agencies by providing timely information capable of exposing criminal networks involved in drug trafficking and counterfeit pharmaceutical products.
Ahangba also praised the strong collaboration among the Nigeria Customs Service, NAFDAC, NDLEA, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies in the fight against trans-border crimes.
Also speaking, Ekundayo Williams commended the leadership and officers involved in anti-drug operations for their dedication and commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking.
He disclosed that investigations into suspects arrested in connection with drug-related offences had already yielded additional breakthroughs, including the identification of more individuals linked to criminal networks.
Williams emphasized that drug abuse and trafficking remain global challenges requiring collective action from governments, institutions, communities, and individuals.
He urged all stakeholders to remain committed to the fight against illicit drugs, stressing that meaningful progress can only be achieved through sustained collaboration and information sharing.
Afeni concluded by thanking the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his continuous support and leadership.
He also congratulated the Customs boss on the extension of his tenure, describing it as a well-deserved recognition of his dedication to repositioning the Nigeria Customs Service in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Acting Controller further commended officers and men of the Ogun I Area Command for their resilience, professionalism, and dedication to duty, while appreciating sister agencies, traditional institutions, opinion leaders, the media, and members of the public for their continued support in the discharge of the Command’s statutory responsibilities.