Ogun Customs Command Records N3.5bn Seizures in Six Weeks
By Francis Ugwoke
The Ogun 1 Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday announced the seizure of different goods which duty paid value is put at N3.5bn.
The items, according to the Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller O.O Afeni, were seized in the past six weeks.
Afeni identified some of the items as 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmatic rice, 6,035 parcels of Ghana loud/ Indica, 11,450 litres of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesel of 25 litres and 100 bags of fertilizer.
The Controller expressed concerns over the smuggling of agricultural products into the country, adding that this undermines the efforts of local farmers.
According to him, “I stand before you today not just as the Customs Area Controller, but as a concerned citizen who cares deeply about the economic stability, health, and security of our nation. Smuggling is often painted by perpetrators as a harmless commercial venture or a simple means of survival. Today, I am here to clear that misconception and lay bare the severe dangers that the smuggling of foreign rice and other prohibited items poses to us all.
“Agriculture is one of our largest employers of youth. By buying smuggled foreign grain instead of locally processed rice, we effectively export jobs to other countries while worsening unemployment and poverty at home. Smuggled foreign rice is often re-bagged under unhygienic conditions or stored in warehouses for years, deteriorating past its safe consumption date.
“While some may view this simply as enforcement of import restrictions, the reality goes much deeper. This seizure is about protecting the livelihoods of our local farmers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs. Every time a bag of rice, bottle of smuggled vegetable oil, a bottle foreign wine or a carton of foreign pasta crosses our borders illegally, it deals a direct blow to our domestic industries thereby undermining National Self-Sufficiency. Our country has the capacity, the fertile land, and the industrious workforce to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. Unchecked smuggling cripples these national aspirations”
Part of his press statement reads: , “Today, they are showcasing the visual proof of their vigilance. The items being parade today include:
2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 6,035 parcels of Ghana loud/Indica
30 bags of foreign sugar (50kg each), 2,674 pieces of new short and trousers, 11,450 liters of PMS in kegs, 1,750 liters of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesels of 25 liters, 100 bags of fertilizer
67 bales of secondhand clothing, 2,674 pieces of New short/trousers, 3,760 pieces of new top
85 pieces of fire extinguisher, 480 cartons of pure haven drinks, 53 package Oats, 47 cartons of Cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, 3 packages of surgical shoes, 127 pieces of new purse. The total Duty paid value is N3,574,435,248.08
“These are not just numbers; these are millions of doses of devastation that would have otherwise flooded our communities, fueled violent crime, and ruined the lives of our youth.
“Our mandate as an enforcement agency is clear, intercept, seize, and arrest. However, the specialized war against drug abuse and trafficking is a relay race. The true victory lies in seamless inter agency collaboration as no single agency can secure our nation alone.
Statistics has shown that Ghana Loud is linked to acute psychosis, severe cardiovascular distress, rapid addiction, and long-term mental health degradation. The high profit margins of ‘Ghana Loud’ directly fund violent criminal networks, human trafficking, and the illegal proliferation of arms across borders. Traffickers aggressively market these high-potency drugs to young demographics, destabilizing schools and local communities.”
The Command formally handed over the seized hard drugs to the Commander of the NDLEA, Idiroko for further investigation..
The Ogun 1 Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday announced the seizure of different goods which duty paid value is put at N3.5bn.
The items, according to the Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller O.O Afeni, were seized in the past six weeks.
Afeni identified some of the items as 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmatic rice, 6,035 parcels of Ghana loud/ Indica, 11,450 litres of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesel of 25 litres and 100 bags of fertilizer.
The Controller expressed concerns over the smuggling of agricultural products into the country, adding that this undermines the efforts of local farmers.
According to him, “I stand before you today not just as the Customs Area Controller, but as a concerned citizen who cares deeply about the economic stability, health, and security of our nation. Smuggling is often painted by perpetrators as a harmless commercial venture or a simple means of survival. Today, I am here to clear that misconception and lay bare the severe dangers that the smuggling of foreign rice and other prohibited items poses to us all.
“Agriculture is one of our largest employers of youth. By buying smuggled foreign grain instead of locally processed rice, we effectively export jobs to other countries while worsening unemployment and poverty at home. Smuggled foreign rice is often re-bagged under unhygienic conditions or stored in warehouses for years, deteriorating past its safe consumption date.
“While some may view this simply as enforcement of import restrictions, the reality goes much deeper. This seizure is about protecting the livelihoods of our local farmers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs. Every time a bag of rice, bottle of smuggled vegetable oil, a bottle foreign wine or a carton of foreign pasta crosses our borders illegally, it deals a direct blow to our domestic industries thereby undermining National Self-Sufficiency. Our country has the capacity, the fertile land, and the industrious workforce to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. Unchecked smuggling cripples these national aspirations”
Part of his press statement reads: , “Today, they are showcasing the visual proof of their vigilance. The items being parade today include:
2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 6,035 parcels of Ghana loud/Indica
30 bags of foreign sugar (50kg each), 2,674 pieces of new short and trousers, 11,450 liters of PMS in kegs, 1,750 liters of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesels of 25 liters, 100 bags of fertilizer
67 bales of secondhand clothing, 2,674 pieces of New short/trousers, 3,760 pieces of new top
85 pieces of fire extinguisher, 480 cartons of pure haven drinks, 53 package Oats, 47 cartons of Cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, 3 packages of surgical shoes, 127 pieces of new purse. The total Duty paid value is N3,574,435,248.08
“These are not just numbers; these are millions of doses of devastation that would have otherwise flooded our communities, fueled violent crime, and ruined the lives of our youth.
“Our mandate as an enforcement agency is clear, intercept, seize, and arrest. However, the specialized war against drug abuse and trafficking is a relay race. The true victory lies in seamless inter agency collaboration as no single agency can secure our nation alone.
Statistics has shown that Ghana Loud is linked to acute psychosis, severe cardiovascular distress, rapid addiction, and long-term mental health degradation. The high profit margins of ‘Ghana Loud’ directly fund violent criminal networks, human trafficking, and the illegal proliferation of arms across borders. Traffickers aggressively market these high-potency drugs to young demographics, destabilizing schools and local communities.”
The Command formally handed over the seized hard drugs to the Commander of the NDLEA, Idiroko for further investigation..
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