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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Operatives of the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Idiroko, have intercepted and seized a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 worth over N417m.
The operatives also intercepted substantial quantities of contraband, including foreign parboiled rice, petroleum products (PMS), premium used vehicles, narcotics, used clothing, and illegal wildlife and solid minerals.
The Acting Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Oladapo Afeni, stated this on Thursday while briefing newsmen at the Idiroko Border Post on the operational achievements and performance review of the command between August and September 2026.
Afeni declared that the relentless anti-smuggling drives of Ogun 1 Area Command had dealt severe blows to illicit trade networks operating across Ogun State.
The Customs boss listed seized items to include 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice; 3,893 parcels of cannabis indica (1.878 tonnes); 428 pieces of pneumatic tyres; 8,675 litres of PMS in kegs; 24 bales of second-hand clothing; four sacks of used shoes and 500 litres of diesel in kegs.
Afeni put the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures at Two Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Fifty-Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-Three Naira, Sixty-Eight Kobo (N2,469,153,523.68).
He added that the massive seizure demonstrated his command’s uncompromising zero-tolerance policy for border economic sabotage.
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On the trade facilitation and revenue generation drive of the command, the Acting Customs Area Controller said, “Despite prevailing economic challenges along our land borders, the Command has maintained a firm stance on legitimate trade facilitation while ensuring maximum revenue collection.”
“Through diligent duty collection, baggage assessment, and meticulous physical examinations at designated border points, we generated millions into the Federation Account, overcoming traditional transborder bottlenecks. We optimised import/export verification frameworks to fast-track compliant trade while applying strict regulatory oversight on sensitive goods, including micra stone, CNG, white talc and crushed thermal coal,” he added.
Afeni, however, said that in pursuance of inter-agency collaboration, the seized 3,893 parcels of cannabis indica will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Idiroko Special Command for further investigation.
While emphasising that the Ogun 1 Area Command under his leadership will continue to strengthen border security, suppress smuggling, facilitate legitimate trade and deepen stakeholder engagement across Ogun State, the Customs boss called for sustained inter-agency collaboration towards tackling smuggling activities.
“Border security is a collective responsibility. Over the past ten months, the Command hosted high-level joint engagements and security meetings to harmonise operations along the Ogun border corridors. We deepened operational synergies with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA, and environmental management agencies to counter cross-border crimes effectively. Also, we sustained constructive dialogue with traditional rulers, youth leaders, and border community associations to build mutual trust and reduce hostility during enforcement operations,” Afeni said.
He, however, commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team for their unwavering support for Ogun 1 Area Command, while applauding officers and men of the command for their dedication, resilience and commitment to duty under challenging conditions.
“To the perpetrators of economic sabotage and illegal border activities, our message remains unequivocal: Ogun 1 Command will continue to be a hostile zone for uncustomed goods and illicit trade. We remain resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests and national security,” Afeni submitted.
