Customs Seizes 487 Illicit Items Worth N4.1 Billion

The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in Idiroko has reported the seizure of 487 contraband items across the state in 2025, with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦4,130,931,100.

The Area Comptroller, Mr Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday during a news briefing in Idiroko, attributing the seizures to intelligence-driven operations and the dedication of officers under his command.

Afeni also revealed that the command generated and remitted a total of ₦454,672,406.30 into the Nigerian Government’s federation and non-federation accounts.

He said this reflected a significant improvement in revenue performance, representing a 47 per cent increase compared with the ₦275,835,602.00 collected in 2024.

He reaffirmed the command’s determination to surpass its 2025 revenue record, noting that it began 2026 on a strong note.

According to him, between  January 1 and January 28, 2026, the command remitted ₦106,277,312.00 to the federation account, exceeding the ₦89,584,419.00 generated in the same period last year and representing an 84.3 per cent increase.

Afeni explained that the revenue growth resulted from the diligence of officers, the cooperation of compliant traders, and collections from baggage assessments and auction sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as well as import and export activities.

He listed the seized items to include 22,725 bags of foreign parboiled rice; 2,669 kegs containing 66,725 litres of PMS; 2,128 red star cartridges; 13,332 parcels of cannabis sativa; and 25 bales of used clothing.

Other items seized were four foreign-used vehicles, 2,034 used pneumatic tyres, 12 cartons of Gino tomato paste, 18 bags of 50 kg sugar, one carton of inhalator insecticide, 4,228 cartons of 10 kg Dogs brand spaghetti, and 2,097 kegs of 25-litre vegetable oil.

The command also intercepted 1,315 pieces of Riodin explosives, 11 Dane guns, two locally made firearms, two revolver pistols, 27 wraps of crystal meth weighing 28.90 kg, 16 parcels of heroin weighing 16 kg, and six used Boxer motorcycles.

Afeni said the command had strengthened its anti-smuggling operations in line with existing laws and trade regulations through credible intelligence and sustained collaboration with relevant agencies to enforce government fiscal policies and curb economic sabotage along the borders.

He commended the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, for his continuous support, which he said played a key role in the achievements recorded by the command.