By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over guns, ammunition and explosive materials intercepted by its operatives to the Ogun State Police Command.

The Command equally handed 1,037 parcels of seized cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency command in the state.

Handing over the prohibited items to the police and the NDLEA officials at the Idiroko in Ipokia local government area of Ogun State, the Area Controller of the Ogun 1 Area Command, Godwin Otunla, said that the five units of single barrel dane guns, 1,433 rounds of live cartridges, 18 pieces of 16×4.8cm Best Fireworks Indoor and 30 pieces of 12×3.8cm Best Fireworks Indoor were intercepted and seized by operatives between April 24 and June 18, 2025.

Otunla noted that the harmful substances and weapons pose far-reaching danger to the youth, public health and national security, assuring that his command will intensify efforts to suppress smuggling.

He stated that since he assumed duty at the Command on April 24, 2025, the anti-smuggling operations have recorded a mass seizure of prohibited items smuggled into the country.

He listed other items seized to include 2,627 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, four units of used vehicles, including 2022 GLE Mercedes Benz SUV, 2014 MLS Mercedes Benz SUV and 2011 Hyundai Elantra salon car, 7 units of means of conveyance and 29 bundles of used pneumatic tyres.

Otunla, who put the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items at N344,853,244m, disclosed that the items were intercepted in different locations within Ogun State, including Lusada/Ado-Odo axis; Abule Kazeem/Igbo-Ora road; Abeokuta axis; Imeko axis; Idiroko/Owode axis; Ipokia axis, among others.

“The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures stands at N344,853,244; a clear testament to our zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and economic sabotage”.

“The seized items were intercepted in different locations within Ogun State, including Lusada/Ado-Odo axis, Abule Kazeem/Igbo-Ora road, Abeokuta axis, Imeko axis, Idiroko/Owode axis, and Ipokia axis among others. For emphasis, the seizures of Cannabis Sativa and Arms and Ammunition are particularly worrisome, given their far-reaching impact on our youth, public health, and national security”.

He pointed out that the Ogun 1 Area Command under his leadership, has intensified surveillance, deployed strategic intelligence and stretched collaboration with security agencies and community stakeholders to enhance border operations.

On the revenue generation, the Customs boss said that his command increased the revenue it generates in April, 2025 from N10,621,250m to N42,279,240m by the end of May, 2025.

He attributed the increase in revenue to blockage of revenue leaks, compliance and fostering of legitimate trade across the borders

“Prior to my assumption of duty in April 2025, the sum of N10,621,250 was generated as revenue for the Command. However, through renewed commitment and strategic realignment, the figure was increased significantly to N42,279,240.00 by ending of May 2025. This improvement reflects the deliberate efforts to block revenue leakages, ensure compliance, and foster legitimate trade across our borders”.

Responding, the Area Commander of Police, Idiroko, Area Command commended the NCS Ogun 1 Area Command for the huge seizures of arms and ammunition.

While reiterating the Command’s commitment to continue to collaborate with the NCS and other relevant sister agencies for national security, Oye said the Police would do the needful by conducting the necessary investigation.