Customs seizes N4.9bn worth contraband in Ogun, Cross River

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contraband worth over N4.9 billion in Ogun and Cross River states, including foreign rice, vegetable oil, cannabis, used tyres, petroleum products and second-hand clothing.

Speaking in Idiroko, Ogun State, Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the command generated N259.8 million in revenue between April 1 and June 23, 2026, representing a 238 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2025.

He said the command recorded 146 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N4.63 billion, including 2,807 bags of foreign rice, 9,482 parcels of cannabis, 62 sacks of marijuana, 16,525 litres of petrol, 7,642 pairs of footwear, 2,427 smuggled tyres, 73 bales of used clothing and 100 sachets of tramadol.

Afeni noted that some of the major interceptions included a truck conveying 2,427 smuggled tyres disguised with a “For Sale” inscription and vehicles loaded with smuggled rice concealed under cement bags.

He warned that smuggling undermines local industries, threatens jobs and weakens the national economy.

Meanwhile, the Customs Area Controller of the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, Comptroller MG Dauda, announced the seizure of 1,996 kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil concealed in two 20-foot containers along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway.

Dauda said the vegetable oil had a DPV of N195.5 million, while the command also intercepted 1,500 imported used tyres and 105 jumbo rolls of second-hand clothing valued at over N77 million.

He added that the command had seized about 5,760 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) this year, stressing that all the items were prohibited imports under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

According to him, the seizures were aimed at protecting local industries, public health and the nation’s economy from the impact of illegal imports.

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