From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has handed over guns, ammunition and explosive materials intercepted by its operatives to the Ogun State Police Command.
The Command equally handed over no fewer than 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 Sentry of the NCS , the Customs Area Controller in charge of 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, saying his command would intensify efforts to suppress smuggling.
The Customs Area Controller stated further 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 the state, including :Lusada/Ado-Odo axis; Abule Kazeem/Igbo-Ora road; Abeokuta axis; Imeko axis; Idiroko/Owode axis; Ipokia axis among others.
He pointed out that the Command under his leadership, has intensified surveillance, deployed strategic intelligence and stretched collaboration with security agencies and community stakeholders to enhance border operations.
While expressing his appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his dynamic leadership, unflinching support and consistent encouragement, Otunla declared to sustain the heat on the smugglers and their collaborators.
Meanwhile, 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, however, attributed the increase to blockage of revenue leaks, compliance and fostering of legitimate trade across the borders