OGUN I CUSTOMS RAISES THE BAR, SEIZES CONTRABAND WORTH ₦3.57BN, HANDS OVER 32,412 DRUG PARCELS TO NDLEA …Afeni vows to make Idiroko border corridor hostile to smugglers as Command records ₦90m revenue and ₦2.59bn export value

By Frontline Reporters 

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its offensive against smuggling, drug trafficking and other forms of economic sabotage, recording seizures with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦3,574,435,248.08 within the period under review.
The seizures, which included thousands of bags of foreign rice and more than 6,000 parcels of suspected illicit cannabis products, were unveiled by the Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller O.O. Afeni, during a press briefing at Idiroko.
The briefing provided a compelling picture of a border command steadily tightening the noose around smugglers while simultaneously advancing the Federal Government’s policies on food security, local production, revenue generation and legitimate trade.
Afeni said the latest seizures were the product of sustained intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance, technology-driven operations and the determination of officers deployed along the border corridors.

According to him, the Command has no intention of slowing down.
“I stand before you today not just as the Customs Area Controller, but as a concerned citizen who cares deeply about the economic stability, health and security of our nation. Smuggling is often painted by perpetrators as a harmless commercial venture or a simple means of survival. Today, I am here to clear that misconception and lay bare the severe dangers that the smuggling of foreign rice and other prohibited items poses to us all.”
₦3.57BN SEIZURES: A FORMIDABLE HAUL
The items displayed by the Command included 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice and 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica.
Other seized items were 30 bags of foreign sugar weighing 50kg each; 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers; 11,450 litres of PMS in kegs; 1,750 litres of PMS in drums; 30 kegs of diesel of 25 litres each; 100 bags of fertiliser; 67 bales of second-hand clothing; 3,760 pieces of new tops; 85 fire extinguishers; 480 cartons of Pure Haven drinks; 53 packages of oats; 47 cartons of cosmetics; 36 packages of hair accessories; three packages of surgical shoes; and 127 new purses.
Together, the seizures were valued at ₦3,574,435,248.08 in Duty Paid Value.
But for Afeni, the figures tell only part of the story.

He argued that every smuggled consignment represents more than an enforcement statistic; it represents a potential threat to local industry, employment, food security, public health and national economic stability.
PROTECTING NIGERIA’S AGRICULTURAL FUTURE
Afeni said the continued smuggling of foreign rice undermines the enormous investments being made by government and private investors to strengthen domestic agriculture and achieve food self-sufficiency.
“When foreign rice is smuggled into our markets, it undermines our local farmers and agricultural investors,” he said, stressing that unchecked smuggling could force local mills out of business and push farmers into financial distress.
He noted that agriculture remains one of the country’s major sources of employment, particularly for young Nigerians.
By patronising smuggled foreign products instead of locally produced alternatives, he said, Nigerians were effectively exporting jobs while deepening unemployment and poverty at home.
He also raised concerns about the conditions under which some smuggled food products are stored, transported and repackaged, warning that such practices could pose serious risks to consumers.
“For us, this seizure is not merely about enforcing import restrictions. It is about protecting the livelihoods of our farmers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs,” he stated.
According to him, every bag of illegally imported rice, bottle of smuggled vegetable oil, foreign wine or carton of prohibited pasta that enters the country illegally represents a blow to domestic production and Nigeria’s aspiration for self-reliance.
He appealed to Nigerians to support local industries by patronising locally produced goods, particularly rice and other agricultural products.

‘SMUGGLING IS ECONOMIC SABOTAGE’
The Customs Area Controller described smuggling as economic sabotage capable of depriving future generations of a secure and prosperous country.
He warned those involved in smuggling, as well as their collaborators, that the immediate financial gains from illegal trade could never justify the long-term damage inflicted on communities and the national economy.
“The short-term profit is not worth the long-term ruin of your community and country. Smuggling is an economic sabotage that robs our children of a secure future. No nation can grow when its borders are treated as gateways for criminality.”
Afeni said the Command was acting in line with the mandate and operational direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, by deploying intelligence, modern technology and stronger enforcement measures to frustrate criminal networks.
He said the Command had witnessed a sustained wave of seizures involving foreign parboiled rice and illicit drugs, with smugglers adopting increasingly sophisticated concealment methods.
“But their intelligence networks, technological integration and the raw determination of our officers on the frontline have proven superior,” he declared.
DRUG TRAFFICKERS UNDER PRESSURE
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the seizures was the volume of illicit drugs intercepted along the border.
Afeni said the Command’s operations had repeatedly disrupted attempts to move dangerous substances into Nigeria, particularly cannabis products described as Ghana Loud and Indica.
He warned that the consequences of drug trafficking extended far beyond the immediate act of smuggling, linking the illicit trade to addiction, violent crime, human trafficking and other forms of organised criminality.
“These are not just numbers; these are millions of doses of devastation that would have otherwise flooded our communities, fuelled violent crime and ruined the lives of our youth,” he said.
He emphasised that the fight against drug trafficking could not be won by one agency acting alone.
“Our mandate as an enforcement agency is clear: intercept, seize and arrest. However, the specialised war against drug abuse and trafficking is a relay race. The true victory lies in seamless inter-agency collaboration, as no single agency can secure our nation alone.”
In line with established procedures and applicable laws, Afeni formally handed over the seized narcotics to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command for further investigation and necessary action.
He disclosed that from January 2026 to date, the Ogun I Command had handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw Cannabis sativa to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command.
BORDER SECURITY AS A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
Afeni stressed that securing the nation’s borders was a shared responsibility involving government agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, youths, traders and law-abiding citizens.
He appealed to traditional rulers and youth leaders along the border communities to support the Command by providing useful information on suspicious activities and emerging smuggling networks.
“To the syndicates and smugglers who think they can use Ogun I Command as a transit route for poison, hear this clearly: if you do not trade legitimately, we will continue to seize your goods, impound your vehicles and ensure that you face the law,” he warned.
He also urged members of the public to embrace legitimate trade and support government policies aimed at strengthening domestic production.
MEDIA PARTNERSHIP FOR COMPLIANCE
The Customs Area Controller used the press briefing to acknowledge the strategic role of the media in public enlightenment and voluntary compliance.
He explained that the briefing was designed not only to showcase the Command’s operational achievements but also to strengthen its partnership with journalists and stakeholders.
He urged media practitioners to conduct thorough investigations before publishing reports, particularly where legitimate trade could be mistakenly presented as illicit activity.

The briefing, he said, was also intended to provide stakeholders with an accurate account of the Command’s activities and achievements from 24 June 2026 to date.
₦90.06M REVENUE IN JULY
Beyond seizures and enforcement, the Command also recorded significant revenue performance.
Afeni disclosed that Ogun I generated ₦90,066,164.00 in July 2026 through baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, PMS and other charges.
The figure, he said, underscores the Command’s dual responsibility of facilitating legitimate trade while generating revenue for the Federal Government.
EXPORTS HIT 10,110 METRIC TONS
The Command also recorded substantial export activity during the period.
According to Afeni, Ogun I recorded a total export volume of 10,110 metric tons, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of ₦2,594,078,654.
The major commodities driving the export figures included white talc, crushed thermal coal and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
The performance, he said, demonstrates that the border can serve as a gateway for legitimate commerce and economic growth rather than a conduit for smuggling.
A MESSAGE TO SMUGGLERS
Afeni’s message to smugglers was unmistakable: the operational environment is changing, and the Ogun I Command is determined to stay ahead of criminal networks.
He said the Nigeria Customs Service should not be viewed merely as a revenue-generating institution but as a critical line of defence for the nation’s economic interests.
“We will not sit by and watch economic saboteurs dismantle the investments made by our local manufacturers,” he declared.
He called on consumers to understand that their purchasing decisions can either strengthen or weaken Nigeria’s domestic economy.
“By consuming locally produced rice, vegetable oil, local wine and pasta, you are investing in our economy, securing jobs and ensuring food security,” he said.
COMMENDING THE OFFICERS
Afeni commended officers and men of Ogun I Command for their courage, vigilance and commitment, describing their sacrifices as vital to protecting the country’s borders and communities.
He particularly praised their “gallantry, integrity and sleepless nights,” saying their dedication was contributing to the protection of lives and the national economy.
He also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, for what he described as dynamic leadership, unflinching support and consistent encouragement.
According to Afeni, the Comptroller-General’s administration has strengthened operational effectiveness and fostered a culture of excellence across Customs commands nationwide.
With the seizures running into billions of naira, drug trafficking networks under increasing pressure, revenue collection continuing and exports expanding, Ogun I Command appears determined to transform the Idiroko border corridor from a preferred route for illicit trade into a formidable barrier against economic sabotage.
For Afeni and his officers, the message is simple: the border is open to legitimate trade—but closed to smugglers.

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