The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, has recorded a massive haul of 43 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.15 billion in just 15 days of Deputy Comptroller Abdulhamid Ibrahim assuming office as Acting Area Controller.

DC Ibrahim unveiled the spectacular seizures on Thursday during his maiden press briefing at the Command’s Headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State, where he reaffirmed the Command’s unflinching commitment to crushing smuggling, safeguarding public health and securing the nation’s borders.

According to him, the breakthroughs were achieved through intensified surveillance, intelligence-driven operations and robust collaboration with sister security agencies and border community stakeholders.

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The Acting Controller, who assumed office on September 29, 2026, declared that economic sabotage would not be tolerated under his watch, warning smugglers and their collaborators to have a rethink or face dire consequences.

“From the outset, I made it clear that Ogun I Area Command under my watch would not tolerate any form of economic sabotage. We are determined to deploy all lawful means to combat smuggling and enforce compliance with existing trade laws and regulations,” Ibrahim stated.

He disclosed that the Command’s enforcement strategy remains firm, fair and intelligence-led, adding that the results recorded within two weeks are a testament to the dedication, professionalism and courage of officers and men of the Command.

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Highlighting the major interceptions, Ibrahim revealed that three heavy-duty trucks were intercepted on October 2, 2026, by patrol officers acting on credible intelligence, conveying large quantities of foreign pasta and condensed milk smuggled into the country.

He explained that the first truck was laden with 2,740 cartons of foreign Siddo Pasta cleverly concealed with 500 cartons of Oki Condensed Milk, while the second truck contained 6,000 cartons of foreign Ginny Pasta. The third truck was intercepted with 6,500 cartons of foreign Doga Pasta.

The trucks, he said, were immediately moved to the Command’s headquarters for thorough physical examination in line with Section 227 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

In another intelligence-led operation on October 4, 2026, operatives intercepted a Dangote truck along the Afamin-Dangote-Itori axis, conveying 100 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice concealed beneath Mica and Gypsum stones in a bid to evade detection.

Similarly, on October 11, 2026, officers intercepted a 10-tyre truck loaded with 321 pieces of military camouflage face caps and a staggering 27,831 assorted unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups, injections, eye drops and dietary supplements without National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration numbers.

The Acting Controller described the seizures as a major threat to national security and public health, warning that illegal importation of restricted military accoutrements and unwholesome medicaments exposes Nigerians to grave dangers.

“These seizures are not merely about confiscating prohibited goods. They are about protecting our citizens, safeguarding public health, defending our national security and ensuring that legitimate businesses are not undermined by illegal trade,” he stressed.

He further disclosed that the five trucks involved in the major interceptions will be forfeited to the Federal Government in accordance with Section 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

Other items impounded within the period include 4,013 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, one wrap of Canadian Loud, 950 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 660 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, four bundles of used pneumatic tyres, 106 bales of second-hand clothing, 1,320 pairs of new shoes, 3,700 pairs of used shoes, 252 pieces of imported face caps, 1,250 foreign-used bags, and 13 exotic foreign-used vehicles comprising Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Toyota Venza, Lexus LX 600, Lexus ES 350, Toyota Camry, Toyota Avensis Verso, Peugeot 406, Ford Galaxy and Nissan Almera.

The Acting Controller put the total Duty Paid Value of all seizures at N3,153,591,000, describing the figure as clear evidence of the Command’s resolve to frustrate smuggling and protect the Nigerian economy.

He expressed deep concern over the seizure of Cannabis Sativa, noting that the substance poses serious risks to youths, public health and national security.

As part of inter-agency synergy, the Command formally handed over the seized Cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and necessary action.

Ibrahim attributed the operational successes to the strategic leadership and support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, whom he commended for providing direction and motivation to officers nationwide.

He also lauded officers and men of Ogun I Area Command for their resilience, while acknowledging the support of sister security agencies, traditional institutions, youths and border communities in enhancing border security.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We appreciate the cooperation of our sister agencies, traditional institutions and community stakeholders, whose support continues to improve our operational effectiveness,” he said.

He urged the media to sustain objective and responsible reportage of Customs activities, assuring Nigerians that the Command will intensify enforcement to prevent prohibited goods from entering the country through Ogun borders.

“The message is clear: smugglers and their collaborators should steer clear of Ogun I Area Command. We remain committed to protecting the nation’s economic and security interests with professionalism, integrity and courage,” he warned.

Speaking after receiving the exhibits, the NDLEA Commander, Idiroko Special Area Command, Akande Olasunbo Oluwafemi, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for the interception, describing it as a critical step in tackling drug abuse and cutting off the supply chain of prohibited substances.

Oluwafemi expressed concern over the alarming abuse of codeine-based cough syrups among Nigerian youths, explaining that products originally meant for medical purposes have become dangerously addictive.

“Initially, codeine was something mixed with other ingredients in cough syrups. But because of addiction, our youths now buy a bottle of codeine and swallow the entire contents at once,” he lamented, noting that the seizure underscores the importance of sustained collaboration between Customs and NDLEA in the fight against illicit drugs.