The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted smuggled goods valued at ₦1.35 billion across different parts of Ogun State, while also transferring 2,547 parcels of Cannabis Sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Idiroko Special Command.
According to the command, the seized contraband items included 2,539 kegs of vegetable oil, 4,325 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 1,204 bags of imported parboiled rice, 545 kegs of petrol, 13 used tyres, 50 bags of imported sugar, two used vehicles, and several other prohibited goods smuggled into the country through illegal routes.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this during a press briefing held at the command headquarters on Monday. He explained that the illegal goods were brought into Nigeria through unapproved border routes, waterways, and creeks, which smugglers often use to bypass official checkpoints.
Afeni stated that the operation reflects the command’s strong determination to combat smuggling activities, protect the local economy, and prevent illegal goods from entering the Nigerian market. He noted that the seized cannabis handed over to the NDLEA consisted of 2,055 coconut-sized parcels weighing 710 kg and 15 bread-sized parcels weighing 381 kg.
Speaking further, he revealed that officers acting on credible intelligence reports intercepted a truck around the Agbara axis on March 11, 2026, with registration number APP-740-YD, which was loaded with 2,539 kegs of vegetable oil, each containing 25 litres.
Preliminary findings showed that the vegetable oil was smuggled into Nigeria in small quantities through creeks before being assembled for distribution, and a full investigation into the smuggling network is ongoing.
He added that the interception came shortly after another successful operation carried out on March 4, 2026, where customs officers seized a Sino truck carrying 4,325 cartons of foreign spaghetti, each weighing 10 kg. The development, according to the command, confirms a growing pattern in the illegal importation of essential food commodities.
Afeni assured the public that the command, with full support from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, remains committed to eliminating smuggling of vegetable oil, rice, fuel, and other prohibited goods, stressing that the Ogun command is strategically positioned to stop illegal activities along the border.
Other seizures recorded within the review period include:
- 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to two trailer loads
- 2,547 parcels of Cannabis Sativa of different sizes, including the Ghana Loud strain
- 545 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (13,625 litres)
- Four live pangolins, later handed over to wildlife conservation authorities
- 36 cartons of Bardinet syrup
- Eight packs of perfume oil
- 13 used tyres
- 50 bags of imported sugar
- Eight bales of second-hand clothes
- 15 sacks of used clothing
- Five sacks of used handbags
- Two sacks of used footwear
- Two used vehicles
- Two cultural antiquities
The command confirmed that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seized items is ₦1,350,751,000.
In order to preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage, the seized antiquities were handed over to the National Museum authorities in Abeokuta, while the rescued wildlife was transferred to Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation for proper care.
The customs authority reiterated that it will continue to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, and border enforcement operations to ensure that economic sabotage, drug trafficking, and illegal importation are reduced to the lowest level possible.
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