Ogun Customs Intercepts N4.6bn Contraband, Uncovers Smuggling Tricks

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its anti-smuggling operations, intercepting a wide range of contraband items worth over N4.6 billion and exposing sophisticated concealment tactics used by smugglers to evade security checks along border corridors.

In a post on X, the agency stated that the seizures were disclosed by the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Oladapo Afeni, during the Command’s monthly press briefing held on June 24, 2026.

Afeni said the Command remains committed to safeguarding the nation’s borders, protecting public health and preventing the influx of prohibited goods into the country.

He revealed that on June 3, patrol officers along the Ijebu-Ode axis intercepted a truck bearing registration number ENU-660-XY with a deceptive “For Sale” inscription intended to mislead security operatives.

According to him, a thorough inspection uncovered 2,427 pieces of smuggled pneumatic tyres hidden inside the vehicle.

The post reads in part, “In line with our efforts to prevent fatal road crashes caused by the use of substandard, second-hand tyres, on 3 June 2026, the command’s patrol team covering Ijebu-Ode axis intercepted a wonder truck with Reg No ENU-660-XY, bearing a deceptive ‘For Sale’ inscription, boldly written on the truck, designed to divert the attention of our officers. A thorough physical examination revealed that the vehicle was conveying 2,427 pieces of smuggled pneumatic tyres,” he said.

Afeni further revealed that on 16 June 2026, a patrol team intercepted a truck along the Itori-Wasimi-Abeokuta axis after the driver attempted to evade arrest. A detailed examination of the truck uncovered 113 bags of foreign parboiled rice carefully concealed beneath bags of cement.

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“Allowing uncustomed goods of this nature into our markets directly undermines and paralyses local industries, ultimately worsening unemployment among our teeming youth. We remain resolute in our mandate to protect the national economy and secure our land borders,” he stated.

Afeni disclosed that other seizures recorded include 9,482 parcels of cannabis sativa, 16,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 475 litres of diesel, 7,642 pairs of footwear, 63 sacks of foreign sugar, and 73 bales of second-hand clothing. He added that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all items stood at N4,628,591,970.16.

In line with inter-agency collaboration, the Command handed over the seized cannabis sativa and other regulated items to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

Receiving the cannabis on behalf of the NDLEA, the Commander of Idiroko Special Area Command, Ekundayo Williams, stressed the need for collective action. “Like I always say, the drug problem is not an NDLEA problem alone. Soon, we will be having international collaboration against drug trafficking, signifying that it is an international concern. So, I urge everyone to play their part for us to achieve the required result,” he said.