The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530, 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 3,893 parcels of cannabis, among other contraband, with a combined duty-paid value of N2.469bn.
The Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday at the command’s headquarters, Sentry, in Idiroko, Ogun State, during a press briefing on the command’s operational achievements between August 2025 and September 2026.
Afeni said the seized Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530, which he described as one of the highlights of the command’s operations, had a duty-paid value of N417,011,982.
Other items intercepted, according to him, included 428 pneumatic tyres, 8,675 litres of Premium Motor Spirit stored in kegs, 24 bales of second-hand clothing, four sacks of used shoes and 500 litres of diesel.
He added that the seizures recorded within the period had a total DPV of N2,469,153,523.68.
Afeni said the command’s anti-smuggling operations were intelligence-led and supported by collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders in border communities.
He said, “Our relentless anti-smuggling drives have dealt severe blows to illicit trade networks operating across Ogun State.”
The Controller added that the command had maintained a balance between enforcement and trade facilitation by ensuring that legitimate traders complied with relevant import and export regulations.
Afeni said the command was particularly concerned about the movement of sensitive and prohibited goods through the border corridors, assuring that officers would sustain efforts to prevent economic sabotage.
He also disclosed that 3,893 parcels of cannabis weighing 1.878 tonnes had been handed over to the Idiroko Special Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation.
Afeni said the command had also strengthened its relationship with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA and environmental agencies through joint operations and security meetings.
He further disclosed that the command had maintained engagement with traditional rulers, youth leaders and border community associations as part of efforts to reduce hostility during enforcement operations.
Afeni commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the service for their support, while urging officers and men of the command to remain committed to the fight against smuggling.
The controller warned smugglers and other perpetrators of illegal border activities that the Ogun I Area Command would continue to intensify enforcement operations across the state.
He said, “Ogun I Command will continue to be a hostile zone for uncustomed goods and illicit trade.”
He added that the command would continue to protect Nigeria’s economic interests and national security while facilitating legitimate trade along the nation’s border corridors
Afeni said the command had also strengthened its relationship with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA and environmental agencies through joint operations and security meetings.
He further disclosed that the command had maintained engagement with traditional rulers, youth leaders and border community associations as part of efforts to reduce hostility during enforcement operations.
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Also speaking the Commander, Special Command, Idiroko of the NDLEA, Olufemi Akande commended Area 1 Customs command for its collaboration in intercepting illicit drugs and other prohibited substances.
He said the growing quantity of hard drugs being intercepted required stronger cooperation among security agencies to prevent Nigeria from becoming a destination or transit route for narcotics.
According to him, “We have made Idiroko a no-go area, no passage for drugs. The Nigerian Customs, NDLEA and other sister security agencies have joined together to say no to hard drugs coming into our country or using our country as a transit route.”
He noted that the NDLEA could not be everywhere, stressing that the presence of Customs, the police and the Department of State Services at various border points had strengthened the collective fight against drug trafficking.
Akande also urged Nigerians, the media, community leaders and other stakeholders to support campaigns against drug abuse, particularly among young people.
He said allowing large quantities of illicit drugs to reach communities could worsen the country’s social challenges and threaten the future of Nigerian youths.
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