At least ₦1.35 billion worth of smuggled goods have been intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Idiroko Border in Ogun State, as authorities intensify efforts to protect public health, support legitimate businesses and enforce regulations on contraband goods.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service Ogun I Area Command, OO Afeni, said the seizures were recorded within six weeks of intensified anti-smuggling operations launched in late January.
According to Afeni, the operations were driven by intelligence gathering and strategic patrols aimed at dismantling smuggling networks that threaten the country’s economy and endanger public safety.
Major seizures
Among the major seizures was a truck intercepted on March 11 along the Agbara axis carrying 2,539 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil, each containing 25 litres. Customs officials said the products were suspected to have been smuggled into the country through waterways and creeks.
The interception followed an earlier operation on March 4 when officers seized a truck loaded with 4,325 cartons of foreign spaghetti, further exposing what the command described as a growing trend in the illegal importation of staple food items.
Afeni noted that the crackdown on smuggled vegetable oil was necessary to prevent unhealthy competition with local producers and to protect consumers from products that may not meet Nigerian health standards.
He emphasized that removing illicit goods from circulation helps ensure a fair trading environment while safeguarding public health.
“By removing these illicit goods from the market, we are protecting local industries and ensuring that only safe and regulated products reach Nigerian consumers,” he said.
Drugs, fuel and wildlife seized
Other items seized during the operations include 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 545 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) equivalent to about 13,625 litres, 50 bags of imported sugar, and several bales of used clothing.
The command also intercepted 2,547 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, which were formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
Afeni said the seizure underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration in combating drug trafficking and protecting communities from the dangers of narcotics abuse.
In a separate development, four live pangolins recovered during the operation were transferred to Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation for rehabilitation and conservation, while two antiquities seized at the border were handed over to the National Museum Nigeria curator in Abeokuta to preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Call for lawful business
The Customs controller warned that smugglers would continue to face strict enforcement measures, urging traders to embrace legitimate business channels rather than illegal routes.
He said smuggling undermines government fiscal policies, threatens national security, and exposes citizens to potentially harmful products that bypass safety checks.
“The message is clear. The command will continue to enforce the law to ensure that those who choose to sabotage the economy do not succeed,” Afeni said.
Revenue and trade gains
Despite the enforcement operations, the command reported progress in revenue generation and legitimate trade facilitation.
The command generated ₦285.65 million within the review period, surpassing the ₦259.26 million collected during the same period in 2025.
Customs also recorded a surge in export activities, moving 95 metric tonnes of goods valued at over ₦305.7 million under approved export procedures and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme.
Afeni thanked local communities, traditional leaders and the media for supporting the campaign against smuggling, stressing that compliance with trade regulations is essential for economic growth and public welfare.
He reaffirmed that the Customs Service, with the backing of the federal government under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would continue to strengthen border security, promote legitimate commerce and protect the health and safety of Nigerians.