Customs Upset New Vehicle’s Smuggling Syndicate
In a show of patriotism and resilience, the Ogun I Customs Command, Idiroko, Ogun State confronts a syndicate of economic saboteurs specialized in new vehicles smuggling, dispossessing them of one Porsche Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) worth over N400 million, and also records several other seizures which Duty Paid Value (DPV) amounts to ₦2.46 billion in one month
By Innocent Chukwu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko, Ogun State on Thursday, September 17, 2026 displayed seizures of smuggled items which Duty Paid Value (DPV) amounted to over N2.4 billion.
According to the Command, the huge seizures were recorded between August and September 2026, in a major crackdown on smuggling across the Ogun State border corridor.
Speaking during the occasion of a press briefing to showcase the seizures at the Command’s Headquarters in Idiroko, the acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) in charge of the Command, Deputy Comptroller (DC) Olukayode Oladapo Afeni, said the seizures were made possible as a result of intelligence-led enforcement and enhanced inter-agency collaboration.
Afeni said his leadership has pursued a clear mandate since assumption of office, which aim is to strengthen border security, suppress smuggling, facilitate legitimate trade and deepen stakeholders’ engagement.
The CAC said despite the economic and security challenges along land borders, the Command he superintends over worked hard to maintain effective trade facilitation measures as well as watertight security approach which is suppressing all forms of smuggling activities and maximizing revenue collection through diligent duty collection, baggage assessment and physical examination at designated points.
Acting Comptroller Afeni said, “Despite prevailing economic challenges along our land borders, the Command has maintained a firm stance on legitimate trade facilitation while ensuring maximum revenue collection. Through diligent duty collection, baggage assessment, and meticulous physical examinations at designated border points, we generated millions into the Federation account, overcoming traditional transborder bottlenecks. We optimized import and export verification frameworks to fast-track compliant trade while applying strict regulatory oversight on sensitive goods, including Micra stone, CNG, White talc and crushed thermal cool.
“We optimized import and export verification frameworks to fast-track compliant trade while applying strict regulatory oversight on sensitive goods, including Micra stone, CNG, White talc and crushed thermal cool”.
Officers of the Command intercepted large quantities of prohibited goods in the period under review. Items seized included 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 3,893 parcels of Cannabis Indica (1.878 tonnes), 428 pieces of pneumatic tyres, 8,675 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in kegs, 24 bales of second-hand clothing, 4 sacks of used shoes and 500 litres of diesel also in kegs.
The CAC described the seizures as evidence of the Command’s zero-tolerance for economic sabotage.
One of the highlights of the briefing was the display of a seizure of a 2026 model of Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) valued at ₦417 million. The CAC formally handed over the 3,893 parcels of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation.
Afeni said border security is a collective responsibility, noting that the Command has held high-level joint security meetings with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), NDLEA and other sister agencies to harmonize operations along the Ogun border corridor.
He added that the Command has sustained dialogue with traditional rulers, youth leaders and border community associations to build trust and reduce hostility during enforcement operations.
On Corporate Social Responsibility, Afeni said the Command has extended its commitment beyond enforcement to community growth and environmental stewardship, while inter-command athletic competitions in August and September 2026 have boosted fitness and camaraderie.
