The Ogun 1 Customs Command, Idiroko rattles die-hard smugglers operating in its domain as it records huge seizures intercepted from the economic saboteurs
By Edu Abade
In a bid to deliver on its mandate, the Ogun 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko has again, assured that its men and officers will not relent in its efforts to combat smuggling, facilitate legitimate trade and generate more revenue for national development in 2025.
Speaking at a media briefing recently, while handing over seized Cannabis Sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller M.S. Shuaibu, said the command will continue to rattle smugglers, adding: “As we continue in 2025, we remain resolute in delivering on our mandate to protect the economy, ensure security, and contribute to national prosperity.
Shuaibu, who presented the Command’s performance scorecard for the year ended 2024, highlighted what he described as “the remarkable achievements recorded by the Ogun I Area Command in the year 2024 and the progress made so far in 2025, saying the achievements underscored its unwavering commitment to the Service’s core mandates of revenue generation, anti-smuggling and trade facilitation.
On revenue generation, he explained that the command generated a total revenue of N275,835,406 through the diligent efforts of its officers and the cooperation of compliant traders, maintaining that the revenue was achieved through collections from baggage assessment, proceeds from auction sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, and vehicles.
Also providing details of its anti-smuggling operations, CAC Shuaibu pointed out that the Command seized several prohibited items through intelligence-driven operations and the dedication of its officers and men.
The items include 16, 712 bags of 50kg each of foreign parboiled rice; 139,881 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 940 rounds live ammunition; 71 sacks and 3,253 parcels of Cannabis Sativa; 586 bales of used clothing items; 86 units of vehicles used for conveyance; 18 units of foreign used Vehicles; 2,150 pieces of used pneumatic tyres; 760 pieces of Donkey Skin; 3,766 cartons of frozen poultry Products and 85 bags of imported flour, with total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.267 billion.
“These achievements are a testament to the commitment of our officers to combating smuggling activities, protecting the economy, and safeguarding the well-being of our society. As we began the New Year, our focus has remained on consolidating the gains of 2024.
“To that extent, from January 1, 2025 to January 27, 2025, the command recorded significant seizures, including 2,002 bags of smuggled rice weighing 50kg each, 6,180 pieces of cutlasses and 6375 litres of PMS, among others.
“The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the intercepted items during the period amounted to N77.476 million. The seizures reflect our relentless efforts to curtail smuggling activities and enforce compliance with customs regulations,” he stated.
Speaking further, he said: “As part of our inter-agency collaboration, we are handing over intercepted parcels of cannabis sativa to the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command. The items include 1,018 coconut size parcels; 25 book size parcels and 140 bread sized parcels.”
Shuaibu, who noted that the handover was in line with the command’s commitment to strengthen partnerships with other security agencies to combat drug trafficking and ensure a safer society, commended the continuous support of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as well as the officers and men of the Ogun I Area Command for their resilience, professionalism and dedication to duty.
“Your hard work and commitment have been instrumental in achieving these milestones. May I equally extend my profound gratitude to our esteemed stakeholders, traditional rulers, community leaders, and the media for your continued support and robust collaboration.
“I urge members of the general public to join hands with the Nigeria Customs Service by providing timely and credible information to help us combat smuggling and other economic crimes. Together, we can build a prosperous nation where compliance is the norm and where criminality will have no place,” he stated.