The Kwara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted eight major consignments of contraband items with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦604,333,592 across its operational corridors.
The Command also announced a total revenue collection of ₦7,978,338,031.21 generated primarily from excise activities during the period under review.
Addressing newsmen during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ilorin on Thursday, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi stated that the interceptions demonstrate the Service’s uncompromising resolve to suppress smuggling, protect domestic industries, and secure national borders.
The seized items include 3,396 packets of 100mg Tramadol valued at ₦50.9 million intercepted along the Okuta axis, 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti valued at ₦201.1 million along the Bode-Saadu axis, and 6,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along the Bukuro/Okuta/Chikanda border corridor.
Operatives also impounded two uncustomed luxury vehicles a 2025 Toyota Highlander valued at ₦214 million and a 2018 Dodge Charger SXT valued at ₦77.5 million along with 270 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 80 bales and 6 sacks of used clothing, and 14 bags of Basmati rice.
Clarifying the Service’s stance on food security, DC Ogundeyi emphasized that enforcing trade laws against uncustomed food imports is designed to safeguard domestic agricultural investments rather than restrict food access.
“When goods are moved through unapproved routes, bypass regulatory checks, or lack proper documentation, the Service is legally mandated to intervene,” Ogundeyi said.
“The illegal influx of foreign food products undermines Federal Government policies aimed at boosting local agricultural production and protecting domestic value chains.” He added.
Highlighting the public health hazard posed by illicit pharmaceutical trafficking, Ogundeyi noted that the interception of controlled substances like Tramadol prevents dangerous drugs from entering local communities. He added that curbing PMS smuggling stops the illegal diversion of subsidized national energy supplies into foreign border markets.
The Area Controller attributed the Command’s operational achievements to intelligence-driven surveillance, enhanced coordination within the Customs Intelligence and Police Units, and strong inter-agency synergy with sister security outfits.
Expressing appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for his strategic guidance, DC Ogundeyi urged border communities, traditional leaders, and commercial transporters to treat national security as a shared responsibility by providing timely, actionable intelligence to law enforcement agencies.