By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko, on Monday said it has intercepted various smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.35 billion within the last six weeks as part of intensified anti-smuggling operations along the border corridor.

Addressing newsmen at the command headquarters in Idiroko, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Olufemi Afeni, said the seizures were achieved through intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing smuggling and protecting the nation’s economy.

Afeni noted that the command had sustained the anti-smuggling momentum it pledged on January 29, 2026, adding that officers remained committed to combating economic sabotage and safeguarding national security.

He disclosed that among the major interceptions was a truck carrying 2,539 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil (25 litres each) intercepted along the Agbara axis on March 11, 2026.

According to him, the vehicle with registration number APP-740-YD was suspected to have transported the items through the creeks in small consignments before they were assembled for onward movement.

The controller said the seizure followed an earlier operation on March 4, 2026, when officers intercepted a Sino truck loaded with 4,325 cartons of foreign spaghetti weighing 10kg each, indicating persistent smuggling of essential commodities.

“You will recall that on December 16, 2025, the command paraded 2,090 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil. The latest seizure underscores our determination to stamp out unfair competition against local producers and protect public health,” he said.

He stressed that the command, with the backing of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, would continue to intensify enforcement against smuggling.

Abeni listed other items seized during the period under review to include: 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 2,547 parcels of cannabis sativa of different sizes, 545 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) equivalent to 13,625 litres,
four live pangolins, 36 cartons of Bardinet syrup, eight packs of perfume oil, 13 used tyres, 50 bags of imported sugar, eight bales and 15 sacks of used clothing, five sacks of used ladies’ handbags, two sacks of used footwear, two used vehicles and two antiquities.

He said the pangolins had been handed over to wildlife conservation authorities, while the antiquities would be transferred to the National Museum in Abeokuta for preservation.

He equally handed over the cannabis to the NDLEA.

The controller said the command had formally transferred 2,547 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing several kilograms, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Idiroko Special Command in line with inter-agency collaboration.

He explained that the narcotics included 2,055 coconut-size parcels weighing about 710kg and 15 bread-size parcels weighing about 381kg.

On revenue generation, Afeni said the command collected N285.65 million during the period under review.

He noted that the figure surpassed the N259.26 million generated in the corresponding period of 2025.

The revenue, he said, was realized through baggage assessments and auction sales of seized petroleum products.

He added, “the command also recorded increased export activities, moving 95 metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of N305.75 million, compared with zero export recorded during the same period in 2025.

Afeni warned smugglers to desist from illegal activities, saying the command remained strategically positioned to detect and dismantle their operations.

“Our war against smuggling continues. Smugglers may attempt new tactics, but with our intelligence network and strategic monitoring, we will always stay one step ahead,” he said.

He also commended traditional rulers, host communities, and the media for their support in the fight against smuggling.

The controller reaffirmed the command’s commitment to enforcing government fiscal policies, facilitating legitimate trade, and strengthening collaboration with other security agencies.