Ogun I Customs Intensifies War on Fake Goods, Smuggling, Strengthens Security Ties with NAFDAC, Army

Ogun I Customs Intensifies War on Fake Goods, Smuggling, Strengthens Security Ties with NAFDAC, Army

…Afeni Pledges Intelligence-Led Operations to Protect Public Health, National Economy

By Silas Onuoha

The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, has stepped up its campaign against counterfeit products, unwholesome drugs, smuggling and trans-border crimes, reaffirming its commitment to protecting Nigerians and strengthening national security through deeper inter-agency collaboration.

The Command made this commitment during two separate high-level strategic engagements at its headquarters in Idiroko with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the 35 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Abeokuta.

The engagements, which brought together key security and regulatory stakeholders, focused on intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement operations and the development of a stronger security framework for Ogun State’s border corridors.

NAFDAC Seeks Stronger Customs Collaboration

The Director of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products at NAFDAC, Dr. Martin Iluyomade (fsi), paid a courtesy call on the Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Oludayo Afeni.

The visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between both agencies in the fight against counterfeit, fake, substandard and expired products entering the country through the nation’s land borders.

Dr. Iluyomade commended the Ogun I Command for its anti-smuggling efforts and called for greater real-time intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement operations to ensure that dangerous and substandard products are intercepted before reaching Nigerian consumers.

He stressed the importance of closer collaboration between regulatory and enforcement agencies, particularly in tackling organised networks involved in the movement of fake and harmful products.

Responding, DC Afeni reaffirmed the Command’s determination to frustrate the activities of organised smuggling syndicates and prevent Ogun State’s border corridors from becoming channels for illicit trade.

According to him, sustained inter-agency cooperation remains critical to securing the nation’s borders and protecting the Nigerian economy from the damaging effects of smuggling and counterfeit trade.

He noted that closer collaboration with NAFDAC’s Federal Task Force would enhance intelligence-led operations, improve enforcement efficiency and ensure that importers and distributors of fake and substandard products have no safe haven within the Command’s area of responsibility.

Both agencies urged importers, customs brokers, border communities and other stakeholders to embrace legitimate and compliant trade practices, while encouraging the prompt reporting of suspicious activities to relevant security and regulatory authorities.

35 Artillery Brigade Backs Customs on Border Security

In a separate strategic engagement, the Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta, Brigadier General Friday Oguche Onu, paid an official visit to the Acting Customs Area Controller, DC Afeni, as part of efforts to further strengthen the security architecture around Ogun State’s border corridors.

The meeting focused on enhancing operational coordination, intelligence sharing and joint responses to trans-border crimes, smuggling and other emerging security threats.

Brigadier General Onu pledged the continued support and operational backing of the Nigerian Army to the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly the Ogun I Command, in tackling criminal activities along the border communities.

He emphasised that the complex nature of border security requires a coordinated response from all relevant security agencies.

The Brigade Commander stated that the 35 Artillery Brigade remained committed to fostering joint operations and intelligence sharing with the Customs Service to safeguard national security, protect border communities and promote economic stability.

In his response, DC Afeni expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for its continued support and partnership with the Customs Service.

He stressed that sustained joint operations and coordinated tactical approaches were essential to effectively suppressing smuggling and other illicit activities while creating a secure environment for legitimate trade to thrive.

Strengthening the Partnership

The strategic engagements further underscored the importance of a unified approach to border management, particularly in a state like Ogun, which shares extensive border corridors and serves as a major gateway for legitimate as well as illicit cross-border activities.

The visits featured the formal presentation of commemorative plaques, signing of the official visitors’ register and group photographs involving senior officers of the respective formations.

The renewed partnerships between Ogun I Customs Command, NAFDAC and the 35 Artillery Brigade demonstrate a growing commitment among security and regulatory agencies to move beyond isolated operations towards intelligence-driven, coordinated enforcement.

With stronger information sharing, joint operations and sustained stakeholder engagement, the Ogun I Area Command is positioning itself to more effectively confront the networks behind smuggling, counterfeit products and trans-border crimes, while supporting legitimate trade and contributing to the protection of Nigeria’s economy and the wellbeing of its citizens.