Addressing journalists in Idiroko, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the Command had intensified its anti smuggling campaign through intelligence driven operations aimed at dismantling illicit trade networks threatening the nation’s economy and security.

Afeni disclosed that the Command recorded 73 seizures within 41 days through coordinated enforcement operations carried out in collaboration with sister security agencies and intelligence units operating across Ogun State border communities.

He stated that the seized items included 1,759 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 10,126 parcels of cannabis indica popularly known as Ghana Loud, 2,685 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil, 14,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 66 bales of used clothing and 46 bags of foreign sugar among several other prohibited imports.

The Customs boss further revealed that operatives also intercepted 77 cartons of Analgin injection without registration from National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, 50 cartons of expired seasoning cubes, cartons of Basmati rice, footwear, handbags, organic honey and two used vehicles smuggled through illegal routes.

According to him, the Command also recovered 26 sacks of cannabis sativa and rescued six live pangolins already transferred to the appropriate wildlife authorities for further action.

Afeni explained that the anti narcotics campaign had continued to yield results following the earlier handover of 2,543 parcels of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Idiroko Special Command in March.

He warned that the growing abuse of cannabis among youths remained a major national concern capable of fuelling crimes such as cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and terrorism across the country.

The Acting Controller disclosed that from January till date, Ogun I Command had intercepted a total of 26,002 parcels of cannabis, describing the seizures as a critical intervention against worsening drug related health and security crises.

Speaking on rice smuggling, Afeni maintained that the Federal Government’s restriction on rice importation through land borders was designed to encourage local production, boost food security and protect Nigerian farmers from unfair foreign competition.

He stressed that persistent smuggling of foreign rice continued to undermine national economic growth, local agricultural investments and efforts to achieve self sufficiency in food production.

The Customs chief also raised concerns over the influx of smuggled vegetable oil, warning that unchecked importation was crippling local refineries, threatening jobs and exposing Nigerians to dangerous adulterated products processed without regulatory standards.

He revealed that the Command intercepted a DAF truck loaded with 2,185 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil along the Sagamu Interchange Ogere corridor on May 5, adding that a total of 12,271 kegs had so far been seized under his watch.

Afeni further disclosed that another intelligence operation carried out on May 7 led to the interception of a Volvo truck conveying unregistered pharmaceutical products, expired food items and other prohibited goods concealed for illegal distribution within the country.

Beyond anti smuggling operations, the Command announced that it generated N125.4 million between March 16 and May 12 through baggage assessment and auction of seized petroleum products remitted into the Federation Account.

He added that Ogun I Command also facilitated the export of 95 metric tonnes of goods with a Free On Board value exceeding N1 billion, noting that efforts were ongoing to remove bottlenecks hindering legitimate cross border trade activities.

Afeni said the Command had commenced a transition to digital border enforcement in line with the modernisation agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, through the deployment of advanced geospatial technology and intelligence based surveillance systems across smuggling flashpoints.

He expressed appreciation to the Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Police Force, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other security agencies for their sustained collaboration in combating transborder crimes and protecting Nigeria’s economic interests.