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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Idiroko, has handed over 9,482 parcels of cannabis sativa alongside 62 other sacks of raw marijuana to the Idiroko Special Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Idiroko.
The Customs Service equally handed over other illicit pharmaceuticals, including 77 cartons of Analgin injection containing 138,600 tubes and 1,000 tablets of Tramadol manufactured at 225mg each, to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Handing over the illicit substances and pharmaceuticals to officials of the NDLEA and NAFDAC at the Customs Sentry, Idiroko Border Post, the Acting Area Controller in charge of the command, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed that the banned items were among the 146 seizures carried out by anti-smuggling operatives in the second quarter of 2026.
He explained that the handing over of the contraband was a demonstration of inter-agency collaboration to assist both the NDLEA and NAFDAC in further investigation and prosecution.
He said the estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the entire 146 seizures was over N4.6bn.
Afeni listed other smuggled items intercepted between 1 April and 24 June 2026 to include 2,807 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg; 2,427 pneumatic tyres; 63 sacks of foreign sugar; 73 bales of second-hand clothing; 10 bags of fertiliser, each weighing 50kg; 62 bags of imported flour and 32 cartons of frozen products, among others.
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In the area of revenue generation, Afeni disclosed that the command under his watch had generated a total sum of N259.3 million between 1 April and 23 June 2026, reflecting the commitment of NCS personnel to improved compliance by importers and clearing agents with established import and export regulations.
“In comparison to the revenue collected in the same period last year, 2025, which stood at ₦76,814,207.00, this clearly shows a progressive difference of ₦182,445,543.89, depicting a 238% increase of collection for the period under review.”
“The difference recorded was made possible as a result of the resilience of officers in ensuring that importers and agents are made to adhere strictly to import/export guidelines in tandem with extant laws,” Afeni stated.
He, however, attributed the successes recorded in the command’s anti-smuggling efforts to enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering and sustained border patrol operations aimed at curbing economic sabotage.
Afeni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting the nation’s economy, securing the borders and facilitating legitimate trade.
“Under my leadership, our joint border security force, alongside all security agencies, and our Beninoise counterparts are all united and will ensure this zone remains entirely hostile and unfavourable for criminal activity,” the Customs chief submitted.
