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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The operatives of the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service Customs have seized smuggled two 19th century artefacts and other prohibited goods valued at ₦1.35 billion, following intensified anti-smuggling operations at the border area
The Acting Controller of the Command, Olukayode Afeni, stated this while briefing journalists on Monday, at the Sentry Idiroko Border Post.
Afeni said that through the command’s renewed focus on intelligence-driven operations, smuggled goods including 5,455 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totalling 13,625 litres, 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 2,539 jerry cans of smuggled vegetable oil, 4,35 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 2,547 parcels of cannabis sativa of various sizes, were seized during the operation.
Other intercepted items, according to him, include second-hand clothing and footwear, imported sugar, used tyres, pharmaceutical products, perfume oil, two used vehicles and four live pangolins
“These seizures send a strong message to economic saboteurs that this command will continue to make the operating environment extremely hostile for smugglers,” the Comptroller stated.
He, however, said that the seized cannabis consignments had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Idiroko Special Command, while the live pangolins were transferred to wildlife conservation authorities.
The intercepted artefacts, he added, were officially transferred to the National Museum in Abeokuta after expert appraisal.
On revenue generation, Afeni disclosed that the command generated ₦285,652,469 within the period under review, surpassing the ₦259,265,495 collected during the same period in 2025.
“The revenue increase recorded by the command is a direct result of enhanced baggage assessment, auction sales of seized petroleum products, and strict enforcement of Customs fiscal policies,” he said.
While speaking on trade facilitation, Ayeni revealed that the command recorded a notable improvement in export activities, facilitating the movement of 95 metric tonnes of goods valued at ₦305,749,064 free-on-board, compared to zero exports recorded during the same period in 2025.
Ayeni explained that the anti-smuggling drive aligns with the economic protection and border security mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in safeguarding local industries and public health.
“With the full support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, we will continue to deploy high-level intelligence and strategic monitoring to remain ahead of smugglers and their sponsors,” he stated.
He commended traditional rulers, host communities, sister security agencies, and the media for their cooperation, assuring that the command would sustain strict enforcement and collaborative efforts to boost revenue, protect the economy, and secure the nation’s borders.
