...seizes two 19th Century made antiquities
Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area 1 command has announced seizure of prohibited items worth 1,350,751 000, One billion, three hundred and fifty million, seven hundred and fifty one in Duty Paid value.
The Acting Controller of the Command, Comptroller Afeni disclosed this on Monday during a Press briefing held at Sentry, Idiroko.
Analysis the achievements of the the operatives of the command towards curbing smuggling and economic sabotage, Controller Afinni stated that through intelligence-driven operations, resilience, and the unwavering commitment of gallant officers, 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.
He said "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),
"this series of successful interventions underscores our 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 Ahm Other seizures recorded within the period under review include;1, 204 Bags Foreign Parboiled Rice Equivalent to Two trailer load 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 Syrup8 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 Bags2 Sacks, used footwear,2 Used vehicles2 pieces of Antiquities".
"The above report 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 overall socio-economic prosperity of the country. Our zeal and determination to make the command unfavorable to Smugglers is still on".
At the briefing, Affini transfered custody of 2,547 intercepted parcels of Cannabis Sativa to DNC Waliyu Ganiyu who repsented Commander of the NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command, Commander Ekundayo Williams. These included 2,055 pieces of coconut sizes (710kg)15 pieces of bread sizes (381kg) totalled 2,543 kg.
Afinni who also expressed the commitment of the Area 1 command to preserving cultural heritage and preventing the loss of historical artifacts, handed over two Antiquities to Femi Oyeyipo, Curator National Museum, Baptist Girls Collage Idi-aba Abeokuta, Ogun State.
On Revenue generation, He disclosed that the command generated TwoHundred and Eight Five Million, Six Hundred and Five Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty Naira (N285, 652, 460, 00 to exceed Two hundred and fifty nine million, two hundred
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%12. Theseare 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.TRADE FACILITATION13. 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.14. I wish to commend the patriotic collaboration and tremendous assistance we always receive 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.15. It is pertinent to state 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.16. On a final note, I humbly extend my sincere gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir AdewaleAdeniyi MFR, PhD and his management team for their continued confidence in our ability to execute our duties with excellence and dedication. Thank you for attention
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