Ogun1 Customs Makes Daunting Seizures Of Smuggled Items Worth N1.350 Billion, Vows to Further Truncate Illicit Trade
Ogun1 Customs Makes Daunting Seizures Of Smuggled Items Worth N1.350 Billion, Vows to Further Truncate Illicit Trade
By Jerry Aguigbo
In a relentless campaign against smuggling and economic sabotage,
the Ogun1 Customs Command, Idiroko has sustained the momentum and recorded remarkable achievements within a short period. Through intelligence-driven operations, resilience, and the unwavering commitment, the Command has successfully intercepted and seized 2,539 kegs of vegetable Oil.The Ogun1 Customs Comptroller, Ag. Controller O.O Afeni, who revealed this during a media parley said that sometime in
“December 2025, we paraded a total of 2,090 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil at 25 litres each. Sequel to this exploit, and in our continuous efforts at stamping out unhealthy competition with our dedicated local producers of vegetable oil in Nigeria. Officers of the command on Precise Intelligence Patrol around the Agbara axis on 11th March, 2026 successfully intercepted a truck with registration number APP-740-YD. Upon inspection, the vehicle was found to be conveying 2,539 kegs of vegetable oil at 25litres each. A preliminary investigation revealed that they were smuggled through the creeks in trickles, full investigation is underway. This significant seizure followed an earlier operation on March 4, 2026, where the command intercepted a Sino truck loaded with 4,325 cartons of foreign spaghetti (10kgeach), highlighting a persistent trend in the smuggling of essential commodities.”
This series of successful interventions, according to the CAC, underscores an unwavering commitment to suppressing smuggling.
“By removing these illicit goods from the market, we are ensuring a competitive trade environment that protects our local vegetable oil industry and safeguards the health of our citizens in line with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. I want to assure the general public that the command with the full backing of the CGC Adewale Adeniyi PhD, MFR will do all it takes to ensure that Smuggling of vegetable oil and other prohibited items suffocates and in due course collapse as command is strategically positioned to decisively truncate those with malicious intentions.”
Other seizures recorded within the period under review include;
1, 204 Bags Foreign Parboiled Rice (Equivalent to Two trailer loads of Rice)
2,547 parcels of Cannabis Sativa of different sizes (the Ghana loud strain commands a luxury price tag to match its heavy-hitting profile)
545 Kegs Premium Motor Spirit (13,625litres) equivalent to a tanker load of PMS
Four (4)live pangolin which has been handed over to green fingers Wildlife Conservations
36 Cartons Bardinet Syrup
8 packs of perfume oil
13 Pieces of used tyres
50 Bags of imported Sugar,
8 Bales of second-hand clothing,
15 sacks of used clothing,
5 Sacks of used lady’s hand Bags,
2 Sacks used footwear,
2 Used vehicles,
2 pieces of Antiquities.
The Total Duty Paid Value for the seizures in view is One billion, three hundred and fifty million, seven hundred and fifty one thousand naira only.(1,350,751 000).
Afeni warned that this is an indication of a strong message to those who are not willing to embrace legitimate business. “The command will continue to exercise their statutory responsibilities in the interest of the overall socio-economic prosperity of the country. Our zeal and determination to make the command unfavorable to Smugglers is still on.”
The 2,547 parcels of Cannabis Sativa was formally transferred to the Commander of the NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command. These include
2,055 pieces of coconut sizes (710kg)
15 pieces of bread sizes (381kg)
The Command also transferred seized historical Artifacts as part of the ongoing collaboration.
“As part of our commitment to preserving cultural heritage and preventing the loss of historical artifacts, we are officially transferring twoAntiquities tothe Curator National Museum, Baptist Girls Collage Idi-aba Abeokuta, Ogun State, following an expert appraisal.”
During the period under review, the Command collected a total sum ofTwoHundred and Eight Five Million, Six Hundred and Five Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty Naira (N285, 652, 460, 00)This amount, according to the Ag. Controller, surpasses what was generated same period last year 2025 with Two Hundred and Fifty-Nine Million two hundred and sixty-five thousand four Hundred and ninety-five Naira (N259, 265,495.00) which translate to 1082%.
“These are from baggage assessments and auction sales of petroleum products (PMS) intercepted during anti-smuggling operations. I will like to reiterate that the revenue activity of the command comprises importation and exportation of legitimate goods, goods under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and assessment of merchandise in baggage.”
In export, the Command recorded a significant surge in export activity, moving 95 metric tons of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of three hundred and five million, seven hundred and forty-Nine-Thousand-Two-Hundred-and sixty-four-naira five kobo (₦305,749,264.05). This represents a substantial year-on-year improvement compared to the same period in 2025, which sawNO or ZEROexport trade.
Afeni commended the patriotic collaboration and tremendous assistance always received from traditional leaders, eminent personalities and some host communities “including members of the press in our resolute drive against smuggling in the overall interest of our dear nation.”
He reiterated that, Customs will continue to actualize sustainable campaigns and strict enforcement of Federal Government fiscal policies with a view to encouraging compliant traders, while sustaining the fight against smugglers and improved synergy with other security agencies.
Afeni expressed his sincere gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for their continued confidence in the Command’s ability to execute their duties with excellence and dedication.
About Post Author
