The Ogun Area I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized contraband goods worth N2,006,008,898 within two weeks, following intensified surveillance operations across the state.
The command also generated N27,291,861 in revenue during the period, the Area Controller, Oladapo Afeni, disclosed at his maiden briefing at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko on Wednesday.
Afeni revealed that the seized items included 5,417 cartons of substandard spaghetti illegally imported from Turkey, 2,200 kegs of Indonesian vegetable oil of 25 litres each, and trucks valued at N222 million used for transporting the goods.
“These food items are designated as contraband and are strictly prohibited from importation in Nigeria,” he said.
He added that, “On December 12, 2025, our officers intercepted an Iveco truck with registration number RMY-354-XA carrying 4,998 cartons of Doga brand spaghetti and 419 cartons of Oba brand spaghetti, all illegally imported from Turkey.”
“The next day, a DAF truck, JHN-590-XA, was intercepted carrying 2,200 kegs of vegetable oil from Indonesia.” The combined duty-paid value of these food items stood at N291,260,000.
Other items seized include 4,738 bags of foreign rice, 6,750 litres of petrol, 309 bundles of used tyres, narcotics weighing 1,502kg, two foreign-used vehicles, and eight additional vehicles used for smuggling.
Afeni warned that many unscrupulous traders smuggle substandard food items, posing significant health risks to Nigerians.
“The danger in these goods reaching the market is that they have not undergone health checks or been declared fit for consumption by relevant authorities,” he said.
Seizures occurred at multiple locations, including Lusada/Ado-Odo, Abule Kazeem/Igbo-Ora Road, Abeokuta, Imeko, Idiroko/Owode, and Ipokia axes.
Afeni noted that narcotics seizures were particularly worrying due to their impact on youth, public health, and national security.
He added that by leveraging technology, intelligence, and inter-agency collaboration, the command remains committed to dismantling criminal networks undermining public safety.
Afeni thanked officers for their dedication and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his support, while warning criminal elements in the state to desist from illegal activities or face severe consequences.
“The massive seizures underscore our zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and economic sabotage. The command remains determined to protect Nigeria’s economic interests and public health,” he said.
