The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted 6,035 parcels of cannabis, 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and other prohibited goods with a combined duty-paid value of N3.57bn.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the command, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday while parading the seized items at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.
Afeni said the seizures were made between June 24 and August 13, 2026, as part of intensified efforts to tackle smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
He said, “The seized items included 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica, 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 11,450 litres of Premium Motor Spirit in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums and 30 25-litre kegs of diesel.
“Other seized items are 100 bags of fertiliser, 67 bales of second-hand clothing, 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, with the total duty-paid value of the seizures put at N3,574,435,248.08.”
The acting controller said the command had strengthened its anti-smuggling operations through intelligence gathering, technology and increased enforcement activities.
He warned smugglers that the command would continue to make illicit cross-border activities more difficult.
He said, “Smuggling is often painted by perpetrators as a harmless commercial venture or a simple means of survival. Today, I am here to clear that misconception and lay bare the severe dangers that the smuggling of foreign rice and other prohibited items poses to us all.
“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.”
Afeni warned that continued smuggling of foreign rice could undermine local mills, increase unemployment and weaken the Federal Government’s efforts to boost domestic agricultural production.
He added, “By buying smuggled foreign grain instead of locally processed rice, we effectively export jobs to other countries while worsening unemployment and poverty at home.”
Speaking on the cannabis seizures, the Customs chief described the illegal drug trade as a major threat to young Nigerians and communities. He said the agency was collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to disrupt drug trafficking networks.
“Smuggling of cannabis and dangerous variants like Ghana Loud, Colorado and Cannabis sativa is not a victimless crime. It destroys lives, breeds violence in our neighbourhoods and undermines our economy,” he said.
Afeni disclosed that from January 2026 to date, the command had handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw Cannabis sativa to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command.
He stressed that cooperation between security agencies remained essential to combating drug trafficking and other forms of cross-border criminality.
The Customs boss also revealed that the command generated N90,066,164 in July 2026 from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable goods, PMS and other charges.
On exports, Afeni said the command recorded an export volume of 10,110 metric tonnes, with a Free On Board value of N2,594,078,654 during the period under review.
He warned smugglers and criminal networks against using Ogun border routes to transport prohibited goods, assuring that the command would continue to seize contraband, impound vehicles and prosecute offenders.
“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 warned.
Afeni called on traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.
He also encouraged Nigerians to patronise locally produced agricultural and manufactured products, particularly rice, saying this would strengthen domestic industries, create employment opportunities and improve food security.
The acting controller commended officers of the command for their efforts in combating smuggling and appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and support.
The seized narcotics were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command in accordance with established procedures for further investigation.