Customs Seizes 2,339 Bags of Foreign Rice, Other Contraband Worth N3.57bn in Ogun

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and other prohibited goods with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.57 billion, as it intensified its crackdown on smuggling along the nation’s borders.

The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State, where the seized items were displayed.

Afeni said the seizure of the foreign rice was particularly significant because smuggling of imported agricultural products undermines local farmers, processors and investors, while threatening the Federal Government’s efforts to achieve food security and self-sufficiency in rice production.

He said unchecked inflow of foreign rice deprives local producers of market opportunities, weakens domestic investment and contributes to job losses and increased unemployment, urging Nigerians to support locally produced agricultural products.

“Every time a bag of rice, bottle of smuggled vegetable oil, a bottle of foreign wine or a carton of foreign pasta crosses our borders illegally, it deals a direct blow to our domestic industries,” Afeni said.

He added that the Command had intensified its operations through intelligence gathering, technology and stronger enforcement measures to make the Ogun I border corridors hostile to smugglers.

The seizures included 70 cartons of basmati rice, 30 bags of foreign sugar weighing 50kg each, 100 bags of fertiliser, 11,450 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums and 30 25-litre kegs of diesel.

Other seized items comprised 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers, 3,760 pieces of new tops, 67 bales of second-hand clothing, 85 fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Haven drinks, 53 packages of oats, 47 cartons of cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, three packages of surgical shoes and 127 new purses.

The Command also intercepted 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica cannabis, and has been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and necessary action.

Afeni said the Command’s anti-smuggling operations were being conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, stressing that inter-agency cooperation remained critical to securing the nation’s borders.

He appealed to traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to support the Customs Service by reporting suspicious activities and assisting enforcement agencies in protecting the nation’s economy.

On revenue, Afeni disclosed that the Command generated N90.066 million in July 2026 from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, PMS and other charges.

He said the Command also recorded an export volume of 10,110 metric tonnes during the period under review, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N2.594 billion.

According to him, the major drivers of the Command’s export performance were white talc, crushed thermal coal and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

The Acting Area Controller said the Customs Service remained committed to its dual responsibility of facilitating legitimate trade and protecting the domestic economy from activities capable of undermining local industries.

He warned smugglers and criminal syndicates operating through the Ogun I corridor that the Command would continue to seize prohibited goods, impound vehicles used for smuggling and prosecute offenders in accordance with the law.

Afeni also commended Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and support, while urging officers of the Command to sustain their vigilance and commitment to the fight against smuggling.