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Generates N90m in July
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Operatives of the Ogun 1 Area Command have intercepted and seized prohibited items, including foreign parboiled rice, hard drugs, and fertiliser, smuggled into the country via various unauthorised borders in the state.
The Customs Acting Area Controller in charge of the Command, Oladapo Afeni, who made this known while briefing journalists on the activities of the command on Thursday at Idiroko, said that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items is N3,574,435,248.08.
He explained that the Ogun 1 Area Command, through intelligence networks, technological integration and the determination of its officers, which have continued to dismantle smugglers’ networks, was able to intercept and seize the contraband between June 24 to date.
Afeni listed the seized items to include 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice; 70 cartons of basmati rice; 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica; 30 bags of foreign sugar (50kg each); 67 bales of second-hand clothing; 2,674 pieces of new shorts/trousers; 3,760 pieces of new tops; 85 pieces of fire extinguishers; 480 cartons of non-alcoholic wine; 53 packages of oats; 47 cartons of cosmetics; 36 packages of hair accessories; 3 packages of surgical shoes and 127 pieces of new purses; 11,450 litres of PMS in kegs; 1,750 litres of PMS in drums; 30 kegs of diesel, each containing 25 litres; and 100 bags of fertiliser.
The Customs boss said though smuggling is often painted by perpetrators as a harmless commercial venture or a simple means of survival, the economic damage it has caused the nation is humongous in terms of revenue and job losses, insecurity, among others.
“Agriculture is one of our largest employers of youth. By buying smuggled foreign grain instead of locally processed rice, we effectively export jobs to other countries while worsening unemployment and poverty at home. Smuggled foreign rice is often re-bagged under unhygienic conditions or stored in warehouses for years, deteriorating past its safe consumption date.
“While some may view this simply as enforcement of import restrictions, the reality goes much deeper. This seizure is about protecting the livelihoods of our local farmers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs. Every time a bag of rice, bottle of smuggled vegetable oil, a bottle foreign wine or a carton of foreign pasta crosses our borders illegally, it deals a direct blow to our domestic industries thereby undermining National Self-Sufficiency. Our country has the capacity, the fertile land, and the industrious workforce to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. Unchecked smuggling cripples these national aspirations”, Afeni said.
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While emphasising that “Smuggling is an economic sabotage that robs our children of a secure future”, he added that “No nation can grow when its borders are treated as gateways for criminality”.
He, however, declared that Ogun 1 Area Command under his leadership has stepped up operations, leveraging enhanced intelligence to seize contraband and ensure that culprits face the full wrath of the law, Afeni stressed.
While handing over the banned substances to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, the Acting Customs Area Controller disclosed that statistics have shown that “Ghana Loud” is linked to acute psychosis, severe cardiovascular distress, rapid addiction, and long-term mental health degradation.
According to him, the high profit margins of ‘Ghana Loud’ directly fund violent criminal networks, human trafficking, and the illegal proliferation of arms across Nigerian borders.
He also said that drug traffickers aggressively market these high-potency drugs to young demographics, destabilising schools and local communities.
On revenue generation, Afeni said the command collected revenue to the tune of N90,066,164.00 from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, PMS and other charges for the month of July 2026.
“The command has recorded a total export volume of 10,110 metric tons with Free On Board (FOB) value of Two Billion five hundred and ninety-four million seventy-eight thousand Six hundred and fifty-four Naira (2,594,078,654). The primary drivers of this export volume included white talc, crushed thermal coal and CNG.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is not just a revenue-generating agency; we are the frontline shield protecting our domestic economy. We will not sit by and watch economic saboteurs to damage Nigeria’s economy,” Afeni submitted.
