The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area I Command, says it has seized smuggled items with the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N6,777,236,000 billon in the past five weeks at the border areas of Ogun State.
Besides, the command said it is set to deploy advanced geospatial technology to fortify international borders in Ogun State.
The Acting Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the activities of the command, at the Sentry, Idiroko Border Post, on Tuesday.
Afeni explained that the deployment of the advanced geospatial technology at the borders would mark a fundamental shift from traditional patrolling to intelligence-led operations, allowing the command to monitor smuggling hotspots across its Area of Responsibility.
He added that beyond enforcement, these advancements would foster a transparent and accountable administration that remains responsive to legitimate trade and fully aligned with the World Customs Organization SAFE Framework of Standards.
On the seizures made by the command, Afeni informed journalists that operatives of the Ogun 1 Area Command intercepted 73 seizures in just five weeks through enhanced intelligence and inter-agency cooperation.
He listed the seized items to include 1,759 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 50kg each: 10,126 parcels of cannabis indica of different sizes (Ghana Loud) equivalent of 4627 kg with estimated street value of over N5b; 2,685 kegs of Oki Vegetable Oil (25 liters each); 14,550 liters of Premium Motor Spirit in jerry cans; 16 kegs of 2 liters Oki Vegetable oil and 20 cartons of Turkey Vegetable oil (3 litres).
Others are 10 cartons of 21kg Basmati rice; 216 cartons of 20kg Basmati rice; 205 packs of footwear; 26 sacks of raw cannabis sativa; 66 Bales of secondhand clothing; 11 kegs of diesel (25 liters each); 46 bags of foreign sugar (25kg each); 77 cartons of 500mg Analgin injection (without NAFDAC Reg. Number) and 7 sacks of secondhand clothing.
Afeni also added that 2 Units of used vehicles; 2 sacks of ladies’ handbags; 16 cartons of Organic honey; 50 cartons of expired Maggi star; 858 packs of macaroni; 2 sacks of Spaghetti; 6 live Pangolins, already handed over to relevant agency for necessary action, were also seized during the anti-smuggling operations.
‘Permit me to briefly highlight the adverse effect of the seized items on the wellbeing of our citizenry, especially the cannabis sativa, foreign rice and vegetable oil.
Cannabis Sativa/Indica, commonly known as marijuana or Indian hemp is a psychoactive drug that is derived from the cannabis plant. It has a devastating effect on the lives of its consumers, especially our youths. The rise in its abuses gives a great concern within the Nigerian society and a threat to our national security, due to its potential influence on criminal activities, such as armed robbery, banditry, cultism, kidnapping terrorism and other vices.
‘From January to date, we have taken 26,002 parcels of cannabis off the streets. This isn’t just a seizure; it’s a preventive measure. Without this intervention, our society would face a wave of drug-related crises that our already overstretched healthcare and rehab systems. its availability would have spiked drug-related health issues and overwhelmed our strained psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities’. He stated.
While disclosing that the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items is N6,777,236,000 billon naira, Afeni said that the prohibited items were intercepted at different locations within Ogun State, with the aid of intensive intelligence strategies of the command.
On revenue generation, Afeni said: ‘Alongside our successful anti-smuggling operations, the Command, from 16 March, 2026 to 12 May, 2026, generated and remitted into Federation account the sum of N125,430,757.00 in revenue through baggage assessment and the auction of seized petroleum products’.
‘We are pleased to note that cross-border trade is picking up gradually; my management team remains fully committed to resolving all the bottlenecks. Notably, we successfully facilitated the export of 95 metric tonnes with free on board (FOB) of One Billion Four Million Six Hundred and Forty-One Thousand Fifty-six Naira Nine Kobo (N1,004,641,056.09).
‘Let me use this medium to encourage our compliant traders to remain steadfast and be assured of our maximum cooperation. Our doors are widely open for consultation and required support’, the Customs Area Controller added.
Afeni, who later handed over the seized banned substances to the Commander of the Idiroko Special Command of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ekundayo Williams, lauded the concerted and collaborative efforts of other sister agencies and critical stakeholders in the command’s fight against smugglers and economic saboteurs.