The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted 1,202 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil valued at N120.2 million in a renewed crackdown on illicit trade along the Idiroko border corridor.
The seizures, carried out through intelligence-led operations on March 19 and 24, 2026, form part of ongoing efforts by the command to protect local industries from unfair competition and curb the influx of contraband goods into the country.
According to the command, the latest interception follows earlier seizures of 2,539 kegs of vegetable oil on March 11, 2026, and 2,090 kegs in December 2025, underscoring a sustained anti-smuggling campaign in the area.
Customs authorities said the removal of smuggled vegetable oil from the market would help safeguard domestic producers, support job creation, and strengthen the national economy.
In a related development, the command handed over 285 sacks of seized mica stones, weighing 50kg each and valued at N104.7 million, to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development for proper regulation.
The handover ceremony took place at the command headquarters in Abeokuta following the interception of the minerals during a routine anti-smuggling operation.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller O.O. Afeni, represented by Assistant Comptroller E.K. Onyeasor, described illegal mineral exports as a serious threat to national security and economic stability.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to blocking the illegal outflow of Nigeria’s natural resources, noting that collaboration with relevant government agencies remains key to enforcing mining and environmental regulations.
“The Ogun I Command remains resolute in its mandate as an impenetrable barrier against the illicit export of national wealth,” he said, adding that the handover reflects a coordinated “one-government” approach to safeguarding the country’s resources.
Receiving the seized items on behalf of the ministry, Engr. Ojediran Abimbola Olubumi commended the command for its vigilance and professionalism. He disclosed that the mica would undergo further geological analysis and be incorporated into the national mineral database as part of ongoing reforms in the mining sector.
Meanwhile, the command also reported significant progress in trade facilitation, recording a sharp increase in export performance for March 2026.
Data released by the command showed that export volume rose to 277.8 metric tonnes with a Free on Board (FOB) value of $383,100, compared to 20 metric tonnes valued at $104,600 recorded in March 2025—representing a 266 per cent increase in value.
The command attributed the growth to improved processing efficiency and stricter monitoring of the Idiroko border axis and adjoining waterways, aimed at preventing smuggling and ensuring compliance with export regulations.