The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has intercepted smuggled goods with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦604.33 million, including 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 270 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 3,396 packets of Tramadol and two luxury vehicles, while generating ₦7.98 billion revenue during the period under review.

The Customs Area Controller disclosed this during a press briefing, saying the seizures were recorded across various operational corridors through intelligence-led operations, sustained patrols and collaboration with sister security agencies.

The Command said the interceptions were made across various operational corridors, following actionable intelligence, robust patrol operations and collaboration with sister security agencies.

According to the Customs Area Controller, since assuming duty on 17 December 2025, the latest engagement marked the fourth press briefing aimed at providing factual and transparent updates on the Command’s operations.

The Command maintained that Kwara would not become a safe haven or transit corridor for illicit cross-border trade, stressing that its officers remained active across identified channels and vulnerable corridors.

Customs Clarifies Position on Food Seizures

The Command also clarified that the interception of food products should not be interpreted as opposition by the Nigeria Customs Service to legitimate food availability for Nigerians.

It explained that its mandate was to enforce compliance with laws governing cross-border trade, noting that when goods were moved through unapproved routes, bypassed regulatory checks or lacked proper documentation, the Service was legally mandated to intervene.

The Command said the illegal influx of foreign food products through porous borders undermined Federal Government policies aimed at boosting local agricultural production, protecting domestic investments and safeguarding the local value chain.

It added that its enforcement actions were intended to ensure that compliant and legitimate traders were not priced out by economic saboteurs who bypass established protocols for unlawful gain.

Eight Categories of Goods Intercepted

The Command said it intercepted eight distinct seizures across various operational corridors.

The items included Eighty (80) bales and Six (6) sacks of Used Clothing intercepted along the Ogbomoso/Jebba axis, with a DPV of ₦32,300,000.00.

Also intercepted were 6,875 Litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along the Bukuro/Okuta/Chikanda axis, with a DPV of ₦2,750,000.00.

The Command further intercepted 3,396 Packets of Tramadol (100mg) along the Okuta axis, with a DPV of ₦50,946,000.00.

Other seizures included Fourteen (14) bags of Basmati Rice (5kg each) intercepted along the Bode-saadu Expressway, with a DPV of ₦350,000.00.

The Command also intercepted 6,705 Cartons of Foreign Spaghetti along the Bode-Saadu axis, with a DPV of ₦201,150,000.00.

In addition, 270 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50kg each) were intercepted across various locations, with a DPV of ₦25,245,000.00.

A One (1) Toyota Highlander (2025 Model) was intercepted along the Bode-saadu Expressway, with a DPV of ₦214,000,000.00.

Similarly, One (1) Dodge Charger SXT (2018 Model) was intercepted along the Lagos/Kwara highway Eyankorin, with a DPV of ₦77,592,592.00.

The Command put the Total Combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures at ₦604,333,592 (Six Hundred and Four million, Three hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Five hundred and Ninety-Two).

Tramadol, PMS Interceptions Highlighted

The Command said the seizures reflected the dynamic nature of cross-border criminality, noting that smugglers continuously altered their tactics, ranging from diverting critical energy resources like PMS to trafficking dangerous pharmaceuticals and uncustomed luxury vehicles.

It described the seizure of 3,396 packets of Tramadol (100mg) valued at over ₦50.9 million as an indication of the critical role of border security in public health.

According to the Command, the unregulated entry of controlled substances posed severe risks to national security and public safety.

It also said the interception of 6,875 litres of PMS would help guard against the illegal siphoning of strategic national supplies meant for domestic consumption into illicit border markets.

Kwara Customs Generates N7.98bn Revenue

On revenue generation, the Command said excise activities continued to serve as its primary revenue driver.

During the period under review, the Command generated a total revenue of ₦7,978,338,031.21 (Seven Billion, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand, Thirty-One Naira, Twenty-One Kobo).

The Command said the milestone demonstrated its commitment to maximising revenue for the Federal Government while maintaining a balanced operational focus on trade facilitation and national security.

Intelligence-Led Operations

The Command attributed its achievements to intelligence-led operations and commended its Intelligence Unit and Customs Police Unit, particularly acknowledging the enhanced momentum under its new leadership.

It also commended the resilient officers and men of the Kwara Area Command for their dedication across vast and challenging terrains.

The Command extended its gratitude to sister security agencies, stressing that trans-border crime could not be fought in isolation and that inter-agency cooperation remained central to its tactical execution.

It also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for his strategic direction and constant support to the Command.

Customs Calls for Public Support

The Command urged members of the public, border communities, traditional leaders and commercial transporters to treat border security as a shared responsibility.

It said the provision of timely and credible intelligence remained vital to safeguarding the economic landscape.

The Command also thanked its media partners for their commitment to objective journalism and called on them to continue educating the public on the critical distinction between compliant international trade and illicit smuggling.

The Command reiterated its position that “Legitimate trade will receive our maximum support, but smuggling will encounter uncompromising enforcement.”

Signed by:

Suleiman Sani Mohammed
Deputy Superintendent of Customs
Public Relations Unit
For: Ag. Area Controller

Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi
Deputy Comptroller of Customs
Kwara Area Command

 

Do You Need More Trending Updates? Then kindly bookmark our blog Realgosipcenter.com.ng, we will update you with more latest musics in mp3 audio format and video in mp4 formats as soon as they drop for quick downloads.