The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded significant operational milestones in revenue generation and anti-smuggling enforcement, generating over ₦454.6 million in 2025 and intercepting contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦4.13 billion.
This was disclosed on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during a press conference held at Idiroko, where the Acting Customs Area Controller, OO Afeni, presented the Command’s 2025 scorecard and formally handed over seized drugs, arms, and ammunition to relevant sister agencies.
Revenue Performance Shows Strong Growth
According to Afeni, the Command generated and remitted ₦454,672,406.30 into federation and non-federation accounts in 2025, representing a 47 percent increase compared to the ₦275.8 million collected in 2024.
He added that the Command has sustained this momentum in 2026, having already generated ₦106,277,312 between January 1 and January 28, 2026, surpassing the ₦89.5 million recorded in the same period last year—an 84.3 percent increase.
The revenue, he explained, was realized through baggage assessment, auction sales of seized Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and the cooperation of compliant traders.
Massive Anti-Smuggling Breakthroughs in 2025
The Acting Controller revealed that the Command made 487 seizures in 2025 through intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration.
Items seized include:
- 22,725 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 37 trailer loads)
- 2,669 kegs of PMS (66,725 litres)
- 13,332 parcels of cannabis sativa
- 2,128 rounds of live cartridges
- 1,315 pieces of Riodin explosives
- 27 wraps of crystal meth (28.90kg)
- 16 pieces of heroin (16kg)
- Used vehicles, motorcycles, tyres, clothing, vegetable oil, sugar, spaghetti, firearms, and other prohibited goods
The DPV of seized items rose from ₦1.79 billion in 2024 to ₦4.13 billion in 2025, an increase of over ₦2.33 billion.
“These achievements are clear testimonies to our commitment to protecting the economy and safeguarding society,” Afeni said.
Early 2026 Seizures Raise Security Concerns
Between January 1 and January 29, 2026, the Command recorded fresh seizures valued at ₦721.45 million, including:
- 1,042 bags of smuggled rice
- 3,738 parcels of cannabis sativa
- 473 kegs of PMS
- 780 used tyres
- 2 locally made rifles
- 198 cartridges
- 6 used vehicles
- Caffeine anhydrous substances, herbal toothpaste, vitamin products, and traditional carvings
The seized traditional artifacts, Afeni noted, would be sent for expert appraisal, stressing the Command’s resolve to combat antiquity theft and protect Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Arms, Drugs Handed Over to Sister Agencies
As part of inter-agency collaboration, the Command handed over seized narcotics to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, including 3,454 coconut-size and 169 bread-size parcels of cannabis sativa.
Arms and ammunition—including cartridges, explosives, dane guns, revolver pistols, and locally fabricated firearms—were handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), South-West Zone.
Additionally, unregistered drugs and supplements were transferred to NAFDAC for further action.
Afeni warned that arms and ammunition remain on the absolute prohibition list of the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that the interception of over 1,300 explosives and 2,128 rounds of live ammunition potentially averted devastating security consequences.
Customs Officers Under Attack
The Acting Controller expressed concern over recent attacks on Customs officers, particularly around Akokoro in the Iwoye–Imeko axis, where officers were reportedly shot at and official vehicles damaged.
“Attacking our officers will not deter us from carrying out our legitimate duties,” he warned, calling on smugglers and their sympathizers to desist.
Call for Community Support
Afeni commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, as well as sister agencies, host communities, and traditional institutions for their cooperation.
He urged traditional rulers and community leaders to educate youths on the dangers of smuggling—especially narcotics, arms, and ammunition—and called on the public to provide timely intelligence to support Customs operations.
“As we move further into 2026, Ogun I Area Command remains resolute in protecting the economy, facilitating legitimate trade, and ensuring national security,” he assured.