Customs Seize ₦1.35bn Worth of Smuggled Goods in Six-Week Crackdown at Idiroko Border
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko Command, has intensified its crackdown on smuggling and economic sabotage, recording seizures valued at ₦1.35 billion within six weeks as part of a renewed anti-smuggling campaign along Nigeria’s southwestern border.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Idiroko on Monday, the Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the command has maintained strong operational momentum since he pledged on January 29, 2026, to pursue a relentless war against smuggling activities in the border corridor.
“Today’s briefing serves as a progress report on that promise,” the Controller said, noting that intelligence-driven operations and coordinated patrols have resulted in several significant interceptions.
Among the most notable seizures was the interception of a truck carrying 2,539 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil, each containing 25 litres. The vehicle, with registration number APP470YD, was intercepted on March 11, 2026, along the Agbara axis following credible intelligence.
According to Afeni, preliminary investigations revealed the products were smuggled into the country through creeks using small boats before being transported by road.
The seizure followed another operation on March 4, 2026, during which officers intercepted a Sino truck conveying 4,325 cartons of foreign spaghetti, each weighing 10 kilograms, highlighting what officials described as a persistent pattern in the smuggling of essential food items.
The Controller explained that the operations were part of a broader effort to protect local industries, particularly Nigeria’s vegetable oil producers, from unfair competition posed by smuggled goods.
“We are removing illicit products from the market to ensure a fair and competitive environment for our local manufacturers and to safeguard the health of our citizens,” he said.
Beyond food products, the command also recorded multiple seizures across several categories of contraband. Items confiscated within the six-week period include 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice; 2,547 parcels of cannabis sativa; and 5,455 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totaling 13,625 litres.
Other items seized include four live pangolins, 36 cartons of cough syrup, eight packs of perfume oil, 13 used tyres, five bags of imported sugar, eight bales of second-hand clothing, 15 sacks of used clothing, five sacks of used handbags, two sacks of used footwear, two used vehicles and two antiquities.
The seized wildlife species have already been transferred to the National Wildlife Conservation Centre for proper handling and preservation.
In line with inter-agency collaboration, the Customs Command formally handed over 2,547 parcels of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The illicit drugs included 2,055 coconut-sized parcels weighing about 710 kilograms and 15 larger bread-sized parcels weighing approximately 381 kilograms.
The transfer was made to the Idiroko Special Command of the NDLEA to facilitate further investigation and legal prosecution.
The Command also transferred two confiscated historical artifacts to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments after an expert appraisal confirmed their cultural significance.
"The items will be preserved at the National Museum in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to prevent the loss of valuable national heritage," he stated.
Beyond anti-smuggling operations, the command also recorded notable progress in revenue generation and trade facilitation.
Within the review period, the command generated ₦285,652,469 through baggage assessments and auction sales of seized petroleum products.
The Controller noted that this figure represents a significant increase compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting improved operational efficiency and compliance with customs procedures.
Export activities also recorded a major improvement, with the command facilitating the movement of 95 metric tonnes of goods valued at ₦305,749,064 Free-on-Board (FOB).
This marks a dramatic turnaround from the same period last year, when the command recorded no export trade.
The Controller warned smugglers and their sponsors that the command would continue to intensify surveillance and enforcement along the border.
“Smugglers may attempt new tactics, but with our intelligence network and strategic monitoring, we remain ahead of them,” he said.
He reiterated that the operations align with the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the strategic leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The Customs chief also acknowledged the support of traditional rulers, community leaders, security agencies and members of the media in the ongoing fight against economic sabotage.
“As we sustain strict enforcement of government fiscal policies, our goal remains clear — to encourage legitimate trade while making this command completely hostile to smugglers,” he added.
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