Kwara Customs Intercepts N604m Contraband, Generates N7.98bn Revenue
The Kwara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted contraband with a combined Duty Paid Value of N604.33m and generated N7.98bn in revenue for the Federal Government.
The Acting Area Controller of the command, Najeem Ogundeyi, disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Ilorin, Kwara State.
He said the seizures were made across various operational corridors in the state as part of efforts to combat smuggling, protect government revenue, facilitate legitimate trade and safeguard national security.
Among the seized items were 80 bales and six sacks of used clothing, 6,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 3,396 packets of 100mg Tramadol, 14 bags of Basmati rice, 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 270 bags of foreign parboiled rice and two vehicles.
The vehicles comprised a 2025 Toyota Highlander with a Duty Paid Value of N214m and a 2018 Dodge Charger SXT valued at N77.59m.
Ogundeyi said the used clothing, valued at N32.3m, was intercepted along the Ogbomoso-Jebba axis, while the PMS, valued at N2.75m, was seized along the Bukuro-Okuta-Chikanda axis.
He added that the 3,396 packets of Tramadol, valued at N50.95m, were intercepted along the Okuta axis, while the Basmati rice was seized along the Bode-Saadu Expressway.
The 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti had a DPV of N201.15m, while the 270 bags of foreign parboiled rice were valued at N25.25m.
The Acting Controller said the Toyota Highlander was intercepted along the Bode-Saadu Expressway, while the Dodge Charger SXT was seized along the Lagos-Kwara highway at Eyenkorin.
He put the combined Duty Paid Value of all the seizures at N604,333,592.
Ogundeyi said the command’s enforcement activities were not targeted at legitimate food traders but were aimed at stopping the movement of goods through unapproved routes and without the required documentation.
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He explained that the interception of foreign food products was necessary to support government policies aimed at increasing local agricultural production, protecting domestic investments and strengthening the local value chain.
He said allowing smuggled food products into the country would put compliant traders at a disadvantage because smugglers evade duties and regulatory requirements imposed on legitimate importers.
On the Tramadol seizure, Ogundeyi described the interception as a major public health and security concern, noting that the illegal movement of controlled substances posed risks beyond revenue loss.
He said the seizure demonstrated the importance of border enforcement in preventing unregulated pharmaceuticals from entering the country.
Ogundeyi also said the interception of 6,875 litres of PMS along the Bukuro-Okuta-Chikanda axis was aimed at preventing the diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption into illicit border markets.
On revenue generation, he disclosed that the command generated N7,978,338,031.21 during the period under review.
He attributed the seizures and revenue performance to intelligence gathering, patrols and collaboration with other security agencies.
The Acting Controller commended the command’s Intelligence Unit and Customs Police Unit for their contributions to the interceptions, as well as officers and men for their commitment despite the difficult terrain covered during patrol operations.
He said the changing tactics of smugglers required sustained intelligence-led enforcement and stronger inter-agency cooperation.
Ogundeyi appealed to residents of border communities, traditional rulers, transporters and other stakeholders to provide credible information to security agencies to assist efforts against smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
He assured legitimate traders of the command’s support but warned that Customs would continue to enforce the law against smuggling.
Ogundeyi also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his strategic direction and support to the Kwara Area Command.
By PRNigeria
