By Olawale Olayinka, Abwokuta
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 6,035 parcels of suspected Ghana Loud/Indica cannabis, 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and other prohibited goods with a combined duty-paid value of N3.57 billion.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at a press briefing held at the command’s headquarters in Sentry, Idiroko, Ogun State.
Afeni said the seizures were recorded as part of the command’s sustained intelligence-led operations and enhanced surveillance aimed at curbing smuggling and other cross-border criminal activities.
According to him, the seized items included 70 cartons of basmati rice, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 11,450 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesel, 100 bags of fertiliser and 67 bales of second-hand clothing.
Other items intercepted were 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.
Afeni said the command had intensified its enforcement activities in line with the policy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to combat smuggling and protect local industries and agricultural investments.
He warned that the continued influx of smuggled foreign rice was undermining local farmers, rice millers and other businesses, stressing that illicit trade could worsen unemployment and undermine Nigeria’s quest for food self-sufficiency.
“The continued influx of smuggled foreign rice undermines local farmers, rice millers and other businesses. Illicit trade could worsen unemployment and weaken Nigeria’s drive for food self-sufficiency,” Afeni said.
The Acting Controller also warned against the smuggling of cannabis and other illicit drugs, noting that such activities posed serious threats to public health, national security and the well-being of young Nigerians.
He formally handed over the seized narcotics to the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, Deputy Commander Oluwole Fagbohun, for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.
Afeni disclosed that from January 2026 to date, the Ogun I 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 effective inter-agency cooperation remained critical to tackling drug trafficking and other forms of cross-border criminality.
On revenue generation and trade, Afeni said the command generated N90.06 million in July 2026 through baggage assessments, auctions of perishable goods, PMS and other charges.
He added that the command’s export activities during the period recorded 10,110 metric tonnes with a Free On Board value of N2.59 billion.
Major export commodities, he said, included white talc, crushed thermal coal and compressed natural gas.
Afeni appealed to traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to support the Customs Service by reporting suspicious activities.
He also urged Nigerians to patronise locally produced goods, particularly locally produced rice, while warning smugglers that the command would continue to seize contraband, impound vehicles and prosecute offenders.
“Ogun I will remain hostile to illicit trade,” the Acting Controller declared.
Ogun Customs Seizes Cannabis, Foreign Rice, Other Contraband Worth N3.57bn
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 6,035 parcels of suspected Ghana Loud/Indica cannabis, 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and other prohibited goods with a combined duty-paid value of N3.57 billion.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at a press briefing held at the command’s headquarters in Sentry, Idiroko, Ogun State.
Afeni said the seizures were recorded as part of the command’s sustained intelligence-led operations and enhanced surveillance aimed at curbing smuggling and other cross-border criminal activities.
According to him, the seized items included 70 cartons of basmati rice, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 11,450 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesel, 100 bags of fertiliser and 67 bales of second-hand clothing.
Other items intercepted were 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.
Afeni said the command had intensified its enforcement activities in line with the policy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to combat smuggling and protect local industries and agricultural investments.
He warned that the continued influx of smuggled foreign rice was undermining local farmers, rice millers and other businesses, stressing that illicit trade could worsen unemployment and undermine Nigeria’s quest for food self-sufficiency.
> “The continued influx of smuggled foreign rice undermines local farmers, rice millers and other businesses. Illicit trade could worsen unemployment and weaken Nigeria’s drive for food self-sufficiency,” Afeni said.
The Acting Controller also warned against the smuggling of cannabis and other illicit drugs, noting that such activities posed serious threats to public health, national security and the well-being of young Nigerians.
He formally handed over the seized narcotics to the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, Deputy Commander Oluwole Fagbohun, for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.
Afeni disclosed that from January 2026 to date, the Ogun I 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 effective inter-agency cooperation remained critical to tackling drug trafficking and other forms of cross-border criminality.
On revenue generation and trade, Afeni said the command generated N90.06 million in July 2026 through baggage assessments, auctions of perishable goods, PMS and other charges.
He added that the command’s export activities during the period recorded 10,110 metric tonnes with a Free On Board value of N2.59 billion.
Major export commodities, he said, included white talc, crushed thermal coal and compressed natural gas.
Afeni appealed to traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to support the Customs Service by reporting suspicious activities.
He also urged Nigerians to patronise locally produced goods, particularly locally produced rice, while warning smugglers that the command would continue to seize contraband, impound vehicles and prosecute offenders.
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