Customs Moves to Protect Local Industry, Confiscates N4.62bn Smuggled Goods in Ogun, N274m in Cross River

• Ogun command generates N259.7 million revenues in Q2

James Emejo in Abuja and James Sowole in Abeokuta

Acting Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, Mr. Oladapo Afeni, yesterday disclosed that the command confiscated 146 goods with the Duty Value Payment (DPV) of N4.62 billion in the second quarter of 2026.

Afeni, during a media briefing at Idiroko, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, also said N259.7 million was realised as revenues from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, PMS, and other charges in the same review period,

The revelation came on the day the service also stated that it had intensified efforts to protect domestic industries and support the country’s industrialisation drive with the interception of prohibited imports valued at N273.7 million in Cross River State.

Addressing journalists at a media briefing in Calabar, Customs Area Controller, Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, Comptroller Giwa Dauda, said the seizure, which included 1,996 kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil and other prohibited items, underscored the service’s determination to curb smuggling activities that threatened local manufacturing, discouraged investment, and undermined employment generation.

Dauda said the operation was part of sustained measures to shield indigenous industries from unfair competition posed by illegal imports.

He disclosed that officers of the Calabar command intercepted two 20-foot containers loaded with 1,996 kegs of imported vegetable oil along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway on June 14, 2026.

According to him, the products, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N195.5 million, were concealed in a truck intercepted during a routine patrol operation.

Afeni also stated that NCS handed to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) 9,482 parcels of cannabis sativa, 62 sacks of raw marijuana, and 100 sachets of Tramadol of 10 pieces each (225mg).

Afeni gave further breakdown of seized goods as 2,807 bags of foreign parboiled rice 50kg each; 16,525 litres of premium motor spirit in kegs; 475 litres of diesel; 7,642 pieces of footwear; and 2,427 pneumatic tyres.

Other seized items were 63 sacks of foreign sugar;73 bales of second-hand clothing; 1 unit of used vehicles;10 bags of fertiliser (50kg each); 62 bags of imported flour; and 32 cartons of frozen product.

Apart from the seizures of items brought into the country in contravention of Nigeria’s extant laws, the acting controller disclosed that the command recorded a total export volume of 20,972 metric tons with Free On Board (FOB) value of N1.04 billion.

He said the revenue collected during the review period showed a 238 per cent increase of collection compared with N76.8 million generated for the same period last year.

He said, “The difference recorded was made possible as a result of resilience of officers in ensuring that importers and agents are made to adhere strictly to import/export guidelines in tandem with extant laws.

“The Command under my watch have remained relentless in enforcing government fiscal policies and trade guidelines.”

Afeni is Chairman of the Joint Border Security Committee, which unites Nigeria and Beninese security agencies including Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

He commended the cooperation among agencies.

He said, “I wish to commend the synergy we are receiving from sister agencies, opinion leaders, head of traditional institutions, media, eminent personalities and other law-abiding members of the public.

“We will continue to count on your support in the discharge of our statutory functions.”

In Calabar, Dauda stressed that the seizure was particularly significant, given the substantial investments made by Nigerian manufacturers in the vegetable oil subsector.

He added that unchecked smuggling of prohibited products could erode local production capacity and weaken the gains recorded in the sector.

Dauda said the importation of such products ran contrary to the federal government’s import prohibition policy, designed to encourage local production, deepen self-sufficiency, and strengthen the country’s industrial base.

He stated, “These products are listed under the federal government’s import prohibition policy, which seeks to stimulate local production, promote self-sufficiency, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.”

The customs area controller stated that smuggling remained a major threat to economic growth, as it distorted market competition, deprived legitimate businesses of opportunities, and discouraged further investment in productive sectors of the economy.

He warned that the influx of prohibited imports could also jeopardise jobs across agricultural and manufacturing value chains, particularly in industries that rely on government protection measures to expand capacity and create employment.

Beyond the vegetable oil seizure, the command also intercepted 1,500 used tyres and 105 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing.

Dauda said the combined DPV of the seized items amounted to N273.7 million.

The command also recorded another breakthrough with the interception of 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), bringing the total volume of petrol seized by the command this year to 5,760 litres.

He explained that the PMS was disposed of in line with approved safety procedures due to its highly combustible nature.

The customs boss reiterated the service’s resolve to sustain its anti-smuggling operations, warning economic saboteurs to desist from illegal importation activities.

He maintained that the service would continue to enforce government trade policies aimed at promoting industrial growth, protecting local investments and supporting broader economic diversification objectives.