Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
A major anti-smuggling crackdown has been recorded in Kwara State as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under its new leadership, announced the seizure of contraband goods valued at over N1.2 billion within the first month of the Acting Area Controller, DC Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, assuming office.
Addressing journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, Ogundeyi said the early successes underscored the command’s renewed commitment to curbing smuggling, boosting revenue generation and facilitating legitimate trade.
“Upon assumption of duty, I made it clear that our operations would strictly adhere to the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, guided by professionalism, intelligence-driven enforcement and zero tolerance for compromise. I am pleased that these measures are already yielding results,” he stated.
He disclosed that the seizures included 389 bales of second-hand clothing and 108 sacks of used bags intercepted along the Ogbomosho–Iyankorin Expressway.
Also recovered were 6,500 litres of petroleum products during border patrols around Bukuro, as well as 450 bags of foreign parboiled rice seized at the Okuta border posts.
In addition, three vehicles, a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser VX, a 2025 Lexus LX 600 and a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, were intercepted and are currently under investigation.
The command also seized 170 used tyres along the Lagos–Jebba Expressway.
Ogundeyi revealed that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the confiscated items stood at N1,219,209,369.
He issued a stern warning to smugglers, declaring that the Kwara Command was “no longer a safe haven for illegal trade”, and vowed that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
Commending officers and men of the command, he said their dedication, resilience and professionalism under challenging conditions were responsible for the early breakthroughs recorded.
The Acting Area Controller further appealed to stakeholders and members of the public to support the Customs Service with credible intelligence, describing the agency as a “partner in progress” committed to securing the nation’s borders and strengthening the economy.
He assured that enforcement operations would continue to be carried out with professionalism, transparency and respect for human rights.
“We will sustain this enforcement tempo while safeguarding the nation’s economy,” Ogundeyi added.
