Customs Tightens Grip on Smuggling as Ogun I Command Intercepts Vegetable Oil, Hands Over Illicit Minerals
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has intensified its crackdown on smuggling activities, intercepting over 1,200 kegs of vegetable oil and handing over seized mica stones worth over ₦104 million, in a move aimed at protecting local industries and safeguarding national resources.
The seizures formed part of the Command’s sustained efforts to eliminate unfair competition faced by local vegetable oil producers. By removing illicit products from circulation, the Command is reinforcing support for domestic manufacturing and job creation within the sector.
The latest operation follows earlier interceptions of 2,539 kegs of vegetable oil on March 11, 2026, and 2,090 kegs seized on December 16, 2025, all weighing 25kg each, highlighting a consistent pattern of enforcement along the border corridors.
In a related development, the Command demonstrated strengthened inter-agency collaboration by officially handing over 285 sacks of mica stones, each weighing 50kg and valued at ₦104,775,000, to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
The handover ceremony, held at the Command Headquarters in Abeokuta, followed the successful interception of the minerals during a routine anti-smuggling patrol.
The seizure underscores the Service’s expanded mandate to curb the illegal export of Nigeria’s solid minerals, a practice that often circumvents regulatory frameworks and deprives the government of critical revenue.
Speaking during the exercise, the Ag. Customs Area Controller, DC OO Afeni, who was represented by Assistant Comptroller EK Onyeasor, emphasized the broader implications of such illegal activities.
“The Ogun I Command under my leadership remains an impenetrable wall against the illicit outflow of our national wealth. This handover is a testament to our 'one-government' approach, ensuring that specialized agencies receive the necessary support to enforce environmental and mining laws,” Afeni stated.
Also speaking, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr. Ojediran Abimbola Olubumi, commended the Command for its vigilance and professionalism in securing the nation’s mineral resources.
The Ministry disclosed that the seized mica stones would undergo further geological analysis and be incorporated into the national mineral database as part of broader reforms aimed at sanitizing the mining sector.
Meanwhile, the Command reported significant progress in trade facilitation, recording a sharp increase in export activities for March 2026. Export volume rose to 277.8 metric tonnes with a Free on Board (FOB) value of $383,100, compared to 20.00 metric tonnes valued at $104,600 in March 2025—representing a 266 per cent increase in value.
The development reflects improved processing efficiency and heightened economic activity within the region, particularly along the Idiroko border axis.
The Command noted that the achievement reinforces its commitment to securing all exit points against smuggling while promoting legitimate trade, ensuring that Nigeria’s economic interests remain protected.
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