Ogun Customs Intercepts 6,035 Parcels of Ghana Loud, Other Contraband in Idiroko
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica and other prohibited items in recent operations along the Idiroko border corridor, with the seized goods having a combined Duty Paid Value of N3.57 billion.
The seizures, which included 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, petroleum products, second-hand clothing and other contraband, were presented on Thursday, August 13, 2026, by the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, during a press briefing at the Command's headquarters in Idiroko.
Afeni said the seized narcotics would be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and necessary action.
He described the fight against drug smuggling as a collective responsibility requiring sustained inter-agency collaboration.
“These are not just numbers; these are millions of doses of devastation that would have otherwise flooded our communities, fueled violent crime, and ruined the lives of our youth,” Afeni said.
“Our mandate as an enforcement agency is clear, intercept, seize, and arrest. However, the specialized war against drug abuse and trafficking is a relay race. The true victory lies in seamless inter agency collaboration as no single agency can secure our nation alone.”
According to him, the Command's operations had continued to expose increasingly sophisticated methods being deployed by smugglers to move illicit drugs and other prohibited goods across the border.
He said, “Smugglers and enemies of the state are becoming more desperate, employing highly sophisticated concealment methods to smuggle hard drugs into the country.
“However, our intelligence networks, technological integration, and the raw determination of our officers on the frontline have proven superior. We have consistently dismantled their networks, intercepted their goods, and choked their supply lines. We will continue to put them on their toes, hit them very hard by making Ogun I command hostile for them.”
Afeni further disclosed that the Ogun I Command had, from January 2026 to date, handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw Cannabis Sativa to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command.
He warned that the trafficking of cannabis and other potent variants such as Ghana Loud posed serious security and public health concerns.
“The smuggling of cannabis and dangerous variants like Ghana Loud, Colorado and Cannabis sativa are not a victimless crime. It destroys lives, breeds violence in our neighbourhoods, and undermines our economy,” he said.
“The Ogun I command, under my leadership remains resolute in its commitment to securing our borders and safeguarding our nation's future.”
Beyond the narcotics, the items displayed by the Command included 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 11,450 litres of PMS in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesel, 100 bags of fertilizer and 67 bales of second-hand clothing.
Other seized items included 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers, 3,760 pieces of new tops, 85 fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Haven drinks, 53 packages of oats, 47 cartons of cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, three packages of surgical shoes and 127 new purses.
The Acting Controller said the enforcement drive was also aimed at protecting Nigeria's domestic economy, particularly local agricultural production.
He said smuggling of foreign rice undermined local farmers, manufacturers and investors, while urging Nigerians to support locally produced agricultural goods.
“When foreign rice is smuggled into our markets, it undermines our local farmers and agricultural investors. Our government and local entrepreneurs have invested billions to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. Unimpeded smuggling forces local mills to close and leaves our farmer’s bankrupt.”
On the Command's revenue performance, Afeni disclosed that Ogun I collected N90,066,164 in July 2026 from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, PMS and other charges.
He also disclosed that the Command recorded an export volume of 10,110 metric tonnes with a Free On Board value of N2.594 billion. The major export commodities, he said, included white talc, crushed thermal coal and CNG.
Afeni called on traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to support the Customs Service by reporting suspicious activities along the border corridors.
“To the syndicates and smugglers who think they can use Ogun I command as a transit route for poison, hear this clearly. We are adapting faster than you are. If you do not trade legitimately, we will continue to seize your goods, impound your vehicles, and send you to prison,” he said.
He commended officers of the Command for their commitment and credited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, with providing the leadership and support necessary to strengthen enforcement operations across the Service.
Following the briefing, the seized narcotics were formally handed over to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command in line with established procedures and legal requirements.
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