By Godwin Obi
Smugglers operating along the Idiroko border axis of Ogun State have been handed a stern warning as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Command, intensified its offensive against economic sabotage, confiscating prohibited goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1,586,008,982.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller O.O Afeni, declared that “hard times await smugglers,” following a string of intelligence-led operations that led to multiple high-value interceptions across the command’s area of responsibility.
Among the major seizures recorded on December 12 and 13, 2025, were two trucks intercepted at different locations. An Iveco truck (Reg. No. RMY-354-XA) was found loaded with 5,417 cartons of Doga Spaghetti (10kg each), while a Daf truck (Chassis No. 532882) was discovered conveying 2,200 kegs of Super Delicieux vegetable oil (25 litres each).
Customs authorities placed the DPV of the spaghetti at ₦84.56 million and the vegetable oil at ₦209.7 million, bringing the combined value to ₦291.26 million. The vehicles, valued at over ₦220 million, are to be forfeited to the Federal Government in line with Sections 227 and 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The command also listed other notable seizures, including 3,453 parcels of Cannabis Sativa in various sizes, 6,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 4,738 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), six foreign-used vehicles, eight means of conveyance vehicles, 309 bundles of used pneumatic tyres, 27 wraps of Crystal Methamphetamine weighing 28.90kg, and six used Boxer motorcycles.
Comptroller Afeni described the volume of narcotics intercepted as “particularly worrisome,” citing their dangerous implications for youth, public health, and national security.
487 Seizures Recorded in 2025
Highlighting the command’s annual performance during a parley with a delegation of The League of Maritime Editor (LOME at Idiroko command on Thursday, Afeni revealed that Ogun I Command recorded a total of 487 seizures in 2025 with an aggregate DPV of ₦4,130,931,100 — a sharp increase from ₦1,791,007,246 recorded in 2024.
Items seized during the year included:
- 22,725 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 37 trailer loads)
- 66,725 litres of PMS (2,669 kegs)
- 13,332 parcels of Cannabis Sativa
- 2,128 Red Star cartridges
- 1,315 pieces of Riodin explosives
- 11 Dane guns, two revolver pistols, and two locally made guns
- 4,228 cartons of Doga Spaghetti (10kg)
- 2,097 kegs of vegetable oil (25 litres)
- 2,034 pieces of used pneumatic tyres
- 25 bales of used clothing
- Four foreign-used vehicles
- Narcotics including Crystal Methamphetamine (28.90kg) and Heroin (16kg)
Afeni attributed the successes to credible intelligence, inter-agency collaboration, and the unwavering dedication of Customs officers.
Continuing its momentum into the new year 2026, the command recorded additional seizures between January 1 and January 29, 2026, with a DPV of ₦721,453,612.
The interceptions comprised:
- 1,042 bags of smuggled rice (50kg each)
- 3,738 parcels of Cannabis Sativa
- 473 kegs of PMS (11,825 litres)
- 780 used tyres
- Six used vehicles and one means of conveyance
- Two revolver rifles and 198 cartridges
- Four sacks (25kg each) of Caffeine Anhydrous (under examination)
- 72 packs of Soduku plant extraction toothpaste (120g)
- 84 packs of Soduku Vitamin D (108g each)
- Two traditional carvings
The CAC disclosed that the seized traditional artefacts would be subjected to expert appraisal, warning that the command would “act decisively to nip antiquity theft in the bud.”
Border Surveillance Intensified
Afeni reaffirmed the command’s resolve to sustain pressure on smuggling networks, stressing that anti-smuggling operations have been reinforced through surveillance, intelligence-sharing, and partnerships with other security agencies.
“These achievements underscore our zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and our commitment to protecting the Nigerian economy and society,” Afeni stated.
The seizures were made across multiple flashpoints, including the Lusada/Ado-Odo axis, Abule Kazeem/Igbo-Ora road, Abeokuta, Imeko, Idiroko/Owode, Ipokia, and Ogere axis. The Controller finally sought the support of members of the League of Maritime Editors in sending across the message of the command’s posture of intolerance for smuggling activities.
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