The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, says it has intercepted contraband goods valued at N3.57 billion, including 6,035 parcels of cannabis, 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and several other prohibited items.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday while displaying the seized goods at the command headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.
According to Afeni, the seizures were made between June 24 and August 13, 2026, during intensified operations against smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
He listed the recovered items to include 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica, 2,339 bags of foreign rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 11,450 litres of petrol stored in kegs, 1,750 litres of petrol in drums, and 30 jerrycans of diesel.
Other items seized were 100 bags of fertiliser, 67 bales of second-hand clothing, 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers, 3,760 new tops, 85 fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Haven drinks, cosmetics, hair accessories, surgical shoes and 127 new purses.
Afeni said the total duty-paid value of the seizures stood at N3,574,435,248.08.
He explained that the command had strengthened intelligence gathering, technology deployment and enforcement activities, warning that smugglers would find it increasingly difficult to operate through the Ogun border corridor.
The acting controller noted that smuggling, particularly of foreign rice, threatens local farmers and investors who have committed substantial resources to domestic food production. He warned that continued importation of smuggled rice could hurt local rice mills, increase unemployment and weaken the Federal Government’s agricultural self-sufficiency efforts.
Afeni also described the seized cannabis as a major danger to young Nigerians and communities, adding that Customs was working closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to disrupt drug trafficking networks.
He revealed that from January 2026 to date, the command had handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw Cannabis sativa to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command.
The Customs boss stressed that cooperation among security agencies remained essential in tackling drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
On revenue generation, Afeni said the command realised N90,066,164 in July 2026 from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable goods, petrol-related charges and other sources.Here is a paraphrased version suitable for a radio station website, with the key names, figures and dates preserved while reducing plagiarism risk:
Ogun Customs seize N3.57bn contraband, warn smugglers of tougher enforcement
The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, says it has intercepted contraband goods valued at N3.57 billion, including 6,035 parcels of cannabis, 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and several other prohibited items.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday while displaying the seized goods at the command headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.
According to Afeni, the seizures were made between June 24 and August 13, 2026, during intensified operations against smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
He listed the recovered items to include 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica, 2,339 bags of foreign rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 11,450 litres of petrol stored in kegs, 1,750 litres of petrol in drums, and 30 jerrycans of diesel.
Other items seized were 100 bags of fertiliser, 67 bales of second-hand clothing, 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers, 3,760 new tops, 85 fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Haven drinks, cosmetics, hair accessories, surgical shoes and 127 new purses.
Afeni said the total duty-paid value of the seizures stood at N3,574,435,248.08.
He explained that the command had strengthened intelligence gathering, technology deployment and enforcement activities, warning that smugglers would find it increasingly difficult to operate through the Ogun border corridor.
The acting controller noted that smuggling, particularly of foreign rice, threatens local farmers and investors who have committed substantial resources to domestic food production. He warned that continued importation of smuggled rice could hurt local rice mills, increase unemployment and weaken the Federal Government’s agricultural self-sufficiency efforts.
Afeni also described the seized cannabis as a major danger to young Nigerians and communities, adding that Customs was working closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to disrupt drug trafficking networks.
He revealed that from January 2026 to date, the command had handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw Cannabis sativa to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command.
The Customs boss stressed that cooperation among security agencies remained essential in tackling drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
On revenue generation, Afeni said the command realised N90,066,164 in July 2026 from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable goods, petrol-related charges and other sources.
He added that the command recorded an export volume of 10,110 metric tonnes with a Free On Board value of N2,594,078,654 during the review period.
Afeni issued a strong warning to smugglers and criminal syndicates, saying the command would continue to seize illegal goods, impound vehicles and prosecute offenders.
He also appealed to traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.
The acting controller encouraged Nigerians to patronise locally produced agricultural and manufactured goods, especially rice, saying this would help create jobs, strengthen local industries and improve food security.
Afeni commended officers of the Ogun I Area Command for their efforts and thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his support and leadership.
The seized narcotics were later handed over to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with established procedures.
He added that the command recorded an export volume of 10,110 metric tonnes with a Free On Board value of N2,594,078,654 during the review period.
Afeni issued a strong warning to smugglers and criminal syndicates, saying the command would continue to seize illegal goods, impound vehicles and prosecute offenders.
He also appealed to traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.
The acting controller encouraged Nigerians to patronise locally produced agricultural and manufactured goods, especially rice, saying this would help create jobs, strengthen local industries and improve food security.
Afeni commended officers of the Ogun I Area Command for their efforts and thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his support and leadership.
The seized narcotics were later handed over to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with established procedures.
