The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contraband with a combined value of N2.47 billion in a series of operations conducted between mid-August and September, including a brand-new 2026 Range Rover Sport and a large consignment of cannabis.
The seizures were disclosed by the Acting Controller of the command, Olukayode Afeni, who said the intercepted items formed part of efforts to intensify surveillance and enforcement along the Ogun border corridor.
According to the command, the seizures included 1,204 bags of foreign rice, 3,893 parcels of cannabis, vehicle tyres, petroleum products, used clothing and shoes. The items were intercepted at different locations within the command’s area of responsibility during the period under review.
Among the most notable seizures was a 2026 Range Rover Sport, which the Customs Service said had a duty-paid value of more than N417 million. The interception adds to the growing list of high-value vehicles seized by border enforcement agencies over alleged smuggling activities.
The command also intercepted a substantial quantity of cannabis estimated at nearly 1,900 kilogrammes. The consignment was subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) command in Idiroko for further investigation and appropriate action.
Afeni said the latest seizures demonstrated the importance of sustained surveillance and cooperation among agencies responsible for securing Nigeria’s borders and preventing the movement of prohibited goods.
The Customs Service and NDLEA also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration along the border corridor, particularly in tackling the movement of illicit drugs and other prohibited commodities.
Both agencies pledged to intensify joint efforts to ensure that the Ogun border routes do not become safe passageways for smugglers and drug traffickers.
The Ogun corridor has remained an important area of focus for border enforcement agencies because of its proximity to Nigeria’s international boundary with the Republic of Benin. The area is used for legitimate cross-border trade but has also faced persistent challenges involving smuggling and other forms of illegal trade.
The Customs Service has continued to emphasise enforcement, intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation as key components of its strategy to curb smuggling.
The latest seizures also highlight the financial scale of illicit cross-border activities, with the value of the intercepted goods running into billions of naira.
Authorities are expected to continue investigations into the seizures and determine the circumstances under which the prohibited items and undeclared goods were brought into the country.
