The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, has intercepted contraband goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N279,595,038 between JanNigeria Customs Service Seizes N279.5 Million Worth of Contraband in Ogunuary and February 2025. The Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, disclosed this during a press conference held in Abeokuta on Thursday.
Shuaibu listed the seized items to include 2,145 bags of foreign rice (equivalent to four trailer loads), 612 bales of second-hand clothing, and 843 units of used tires. Other confiscated goods comprised 6,625 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 1,057 parcels of cannabis sativa in coconut sizes, 159 parcels in bread sizes, 2,074 parcels in book sizes, and 75 sacks of cannabis sativa.
The controller highlighted that the NCS Act, 2024, particularly Sections 6, 212, 226, 233, and 245, grants officers extensive powers, including the authority to patrol freely, seize smuggled and illegal goods, and enter premises for inspections.
Shuaibu also revealed that the command generated N9,694,072 in revenue during the same period, derived from baggage assessments and auction sales of Premium Motor Spirit.
“The achievements of this milestone were made possible through implemented strategies that have resulted in numerous successful seizures. In addition, this contribution to national revenue is an important aspect of our duty to support the financial objectives of the federal government,” he stated.
Shuaibu reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to combating smuggling, emphasizing that officers are determined to thwart every tactic employed by criminals to bypass security checks.
“Our intelligence network, systematic monitoring, and operational mechanisms are robust and effective in identifying and tracking these economic saboteurs,” he said.
The controller called on the public to cooperate with the NCS in the fight against smuggling, urging citizens to report suspicious activities to the authorities.
Shuaibu also expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team for their support in helping the command achieve its targets. He further commended traditional rulers in Ogun State and sister security agencies for their collaboration in the fight against smuggling.
“Their collective efforts continue to play a critical role in maintaining the security and integrity of the nation,” he added.
The seizures underscore the NCS’s commitment to curbing illegal trade and protecting the nation’s economy. The command’s efforts align with the federal government’s broader objectives of enhancing revenue generation and ensuring national security.
