The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw Cannabis sativa in cross-border operations, alongside smuggled goods with a combined Duty Paid Value of N6.043 billion.
The narcotics were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, between January and August 13, 2026, while the seizures of foreign rice, petroleum products, clothing, vehicles and other prohibited items were recorded between July 17 and September 17.
The figures highlight the scale of illicit trade confronting the command along Nigeria’s border with the Republic of Benin, where Customs authorities say smuggling networks are increasingly adopting remote routes and sophisticated concealment methods.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, said the fight had become necessary to protect the domestic economy from activities capable of undermining local production, businesses and jobs.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is not just a revenue-generating agency; we are the frontline shield protecting our domestic economy,” Afeni said.
Among the goods seized during the period were 3,543 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 9,928 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers, 3,760 pieces of new tops and 91 bales of second-hand clothing.
The command also intercepted 20,125 litres of Premium Motor Spirit in kegs, 1,750 litres in drums, 50 kegs of diesel, 100 bags of fertiliser, 85 fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Haven drinks and other consumer products.
A 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530, valued by the command at N417 million, was also among the major seizures recorded during the operations.
Afeni said the consequences of smuggling extended beyond Customs revenue, particularly where foreign goods such as rice compete with locally produced commodities and threaten investments in agriculture and processing.
He said the interception of foreign rice should therefore be viewed within the broader effort to protect Nigerian farmers and businesses that had invested in domestic production.
The Customs chief also identified narcotics trafficking as a particularly dangerous component of cross-border smuggling, warning that proceeds from the illicit drug trade could support other forms of organised crime.
“The fight against drug smuggling is a collective responsibility,” Afeni said, adding that the command remained committed to “securing our borders and safeguarding our nation’s future.”
“These are not just numbers; these are millions of doses of devastation that would have otherwise flooded our communities, fueled violent crimes, and ruined the lives of our youth,” he added.
Afeni stressed that sustained cooperation among security and law-enforcement agencies remained critical, saying, “The true victory lies in seamless inter-agency collaboration as no single agency can secure our nation alone.”
Beyond the seizures, however, the command recorded 10,110 metric tonnes of legitimate exports during the period under review, with a Free On Board value of N2.594 billion.
White talc, crushed thermal coal and Compressed Natural Gas were among the commodities contributing to the export figure, reflecting the command’s role in facilitating legitimate trade alongside its anti-smuggling operations.
The command also generated N180.066 million during the two-month period from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, Premium Motor Spirit and other charges.
Afeni said Customs would continue to combine intelligence gathering, technology and frontline operations to disrupt smuggling networks, while encouraging legitimate businesses to use formal channels of trade.
“Our intelligence networks, technological integration, and the raw determination of our officers on the frontline have proven superior,” he said.
He warned that offenders caught transporting prohibited goods would face arrest, seizure of their consignments and prosecution in accordance with the law.
“We will continue to put them on their toes, hit them very hard by making Ogun I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service very hostile for smugglers and economic saboteurs,” Afeni said.
