AFENI’S CRACKDOWN YIELDS ₦4.63 BILLION SMUGGLING HAUL, 238% REVENUE SURGE AS OGUN I CUSTOMS TIGHTENS NOOSE ON ECONOMIC SABOTEURS

AFENI’S CRACKDOWN YIELDS ₦4.63 BILLION SMUGGLING HAUL, 238% REVENUE SURGE AS OGUN I CUSTOMS TIGHTENS NOOSE ON ECONOMIC SABOTEURS

By Silas Onuoha

The Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, has continued to stamp his authority as one of the Nigeria Customs Service’s most result-oriented enforcement commanders, delivering remarkable achievements in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, export promotion, border security and inter-agency collaboration.

Under his leadership, the Command has intensified its offensive against economic saboteurs operating along the nation’s busiest land border, recording unprecedented seizures valued at over ₦4.628 billion, while simultaneously boosting government revenue by an impressive 238 percent and reviving export activities that had previously remained dormant.

Speaking during a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State, Deputy Comptroller Afeni said the Command’s achievements covered the second quarter of 2026, from April 1 to June 23.

According to him, the Command generated ₦259,277,346.89 through baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other statutory charges. The figure represents a significant leap from the ₦76.8 million collected during the corresponding period in 2025, translating to an increase of ₦182.45 million.

He attributed the impressive revenue performance to the unwavering commitment of officers and men of the Command in ensuring strict compliance with import and export regulations as stipulated by existing Customs laws.

Deputy Comptroller Afeni also disclosed that the Command recorded 146 seizures during the review period, dealing a devastating blow to smugglers and criminal syndicates attempting to undermine Nigeria’s economy.

Among the notable interceptions was a truck deceptively branded “For Sale,” which was intercepted along the Ijebu-Ode axis. A comprehensive examination uncovered 2,427 smuggled pneumatic tyres, cleverly concealed to evade Customs checks.

In another intelligence-driven operation, officers intercepted a truck along the Itori-Wasimi-Abeokuta corridor after the driver attempted to ram a Customs patrol vehicle while trying to escape. The truck was eventually stopped, leading to the discovery of 113 bags of foreign parboiled rice hidden beneath bags of cement. The suspect remains in custody and is expected to face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Command equally intercepted another truck carrying 630 bags of foreign parboiled rice barely one month after seizing military camouflage uniforms, underscoring its sustained determination to dismantle smuggling networks operating within its Area of Responsibility.

Other major seizures recorded include 2,807 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 9,482 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 62 sacks of raw marijuana, 16,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 475 litres of diesel, 7,642 pairs of footwear, 63 sacks of foreign sugar, 73 bales of second-hand clothing, one used vehicle, 10 bags of fertiliser, 62 bags of imported flour, 32 cartons of frozen products, and 100 sachets of Tramadol (225mg).

The cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items stood at an impressive ₦4,628,591,970.16, reflecting the Command’s uncompromising stance against smuggling and violations of Nigeria’s import and export laws.

In a remarkable turnaround for cross-border trade, Ogun I Area Command also recorded 20,972 metric tonnes of exports with a Free-On-Board (FOB) value of ₦1.049 billion, compared to zero export activity during the same period in 2025. The exports comprised mainly white talc, crushed thermal coal and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), highlighting renewed confidence in legitimate trade through the Command.

As Chairman of the Joint Border Security Committee, Deputy Comptroller Afeni further strengthened collaboration between Nigerian and Beninese security agencies by coordinating joint operations targeting criminal hideouts and illegal activities around the Idiroko-Igolo border corridor.

The Command also reinforced its commitment to inter-agency cooperation by handing over 6,981 parcels of Cannabis Indica (Ghanaian Loud) and 62 sacks of raw marijuana to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

Similarly, 77 cartons of Analgin injections containing 138,600 tubes and 1,000 tablets of Tramadol (225mg) were transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as part of ongoing efforts to prevent dangerous and unregistered pharmaceuticals from reaching Nigerian consumers.

Deputy Comptroller Afeni reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to maintaining robust stakeholder engagement, noting that its open-door policy has continued to foster mutual understanding with importers, exporters, clearing agents and border communities.

He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, for his visionary leadership, expressing appreciation for the continuous support that has enabled Commands across the country to deliver exceptional results.

The Acting Controller further congratulated the Comptroller-General on the extension of his tenure by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as a well-deserved recognition of his transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to repositioning the Nigeria Customs Service in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

From the record-breaking revenue performance and multi-billion-naira seizures to renewed export activities and strengthened border security, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni has demonstrated that decisive leadership, strategic intelligence and operational discipline can produce exceptional results. His achievements at Ogun I Area Command have not only disrupted the activities of smugglers and economic saboteurs but have also reinforced public confidence in the Nigeria Customs Service’s mandate to protect the nation’s economy, secure its borders and facilitate legitimate trade. As the Command continues to sustain this momentum, stakeholders believe Ogun I is setting a new benchmark for effective Customs administration and border enforcement in Nigeria.