By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted 3,893 parcels of cannabis weighing 1.878 tonnes and a 2025 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 valued at ₦417.01 million as part of its ongoing anti-smuggling operations along the nation’s land borders.
The Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday at the Command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State, while handing over the seized cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.
Afeni said the seizures were made between August and September 2025, with the Command recording a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦2.469 billion during the period.
According to him, the seizures included 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 3,893 parcels of cannabis, 428 pneumatic tyres, 8,675 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) stored in kegs, 24 bales of second-hand clothing, four sacks of used shoes and 500 litres of diesel.
He said the results reflected the Command’s continued efforts to secure the nation’s borders, prevent smuggling, facilitate legitimate trade and strengthen cooperation with stakeholders across Ogun State.
Afeni attributed the operational successes to intelligence-led enforcement, inter-agency cooperation and closer monitoring of activities around the border areas.
He described the seizure of the luxury vehicle as one of the major highlights of the Command’s recent operations.
“One of the highlights of today’s briefing is the seizure of a 2025 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 worth Four Hundred and Seventeen Million, Eleven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Two Naira (N417,011,982.00),” he said.
The Acting Controller said the Command would continue to pursue smugglers and other individuals involved in activities capable of undermining the nation’s economy and security.
He added that revenue collection and trade facilitation remained important areas of the Command’s responsibilities despite the challenges associated with land-border operations.
Afeni said duty collection, baggage assessment and physical examination at designated border points had contributed to revenue generation, while import and export verification processes were being improved to make legitimate trade easier for compliant businesses.
He also highlighted the Command’s partnership with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA and environmental management agencies in tackling cross-border crimes.
According to him, regular engagement with traditional rulers, youth leaders and border community associations had also helped improve relations between enforcement personnel and residents of border communities.
Afeni disclosed that the Command also emerged as champion in volleyball at the Inter-Command Athletic Competitions held in August and September 2025.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the Service for their support, while appreciating officers and men of the Command, host communities, traditional rulers and media organisations for their cooperation.
“To the perpetrators of economic sabotage and illegal border activities, our message remains unequivocal: Ogun I Command will continue to be a hostile zone for uncustomed goods and illicit trade,” Afeni said.
“We remain resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests and national security.”
Receiving the seized cannabis on behalf of the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command, the Commander of Narcotics, Commander Akande Oluwafemi, commended the Customs Command for its contribution to the fight against drug trafficking.
Oluwafemi said the seizure underscored the importance of collaboration among security agencies in preventing illicit drugs from entering Nigeria or being moved through the country.
“NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service and other sister security agencies have joined together to say no to hard drugs coming into our country or using our country as a transit route,” he said.
He praised Customs officers for their commitment to the anti-drug campaign, noting that no single security agency could effectively cover every part of the country on its own.
“I need to salute the Comptroller and his men for this dogged fight. We all know that NDLEA cannot be everywhere. Where the NDLEA has not been, Nigeria Customs Service is there. The Nigeria Police Force is there. The DSS is there,” Oluwafemi said.
“And what we are witnessing today is a result of synergy and a robust partnership between government agencies.”
Speaking on behalf of the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd.), the NDLEA commander thanked the Customs Service for what he described as an act of patriotism.
“I say thank you on behalf of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa, retired. I say thank you to the Nigeria Customs Service for this show of patriotism to Nigeria. They are not only doing it for Nigeria; we are doing it for Nigerians,” he said.
Oluwafemi warned that allowing the seized cannabis to reach the Nigerian market would have posed an additional challenge to the country, particularly among young people.
He urged journalists, workers, religious organisations, border communities and other stakeholders to support efforts to prevent drug abuse and trafficking.
“When we have drugs within our system, we are playing with the future of the country,” he said.
He also called for greater public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, particularly among youths, urging Nigerians to take collective responsibility for addressing the problem.
“Look at the number of youths abusing drugs now. As journalists, workers, members of host communities and other stakeholders, even in our religious houses, let’s join this campaign,” he said.
Oluwafemi said the NDLEA would continue to intensify public awareness and sensitisation programmes as part of its broader campaign against drug abuse.
He urged members of the public to support the agency’s efforts, saying collective action remained necessary to reduce the availability and abuse of illicit drugs in the country.
