By Chika Okeke
Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has tightened border security operations by intercepting multiple contraband items and exposing the deceptive concealment tactics used by smugglers to evade detection.
The seizures recorded include 9,482 parcels of cannabis sativa, 16,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 475 litres of diesel, 7,642 pairs of footwear, 63 sacks of foreign sugar, and 73 bales of second-hand clothing.
Other items were 113 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed beneath bags of cement and 2,427 pieces of smuggled pneumatic tyres.
Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, DC, Oladapo Afeni said during the monthly press briefing that the total Duty Paid Value, DPV, of all items stood at N4,628,591,970.16.
“In line with our efforts to prevent fatal road crashes caused by the use of substandard, second-hand tyres, on 3 June 2026, the command’s patrol team covering Ijebu-Ode axis intercepted a wonder truck with Reg No ENU-660-XY, bearing a deceptive ‘for sale’ inscription, boldly written on the truck, designed to divert the attention of our officers. A thorough physical examination revealed that the vehicle was conveying 2,427 pieces of smuggled pneumatic tyres.
“On16 June 2026, a patrol team intercepted a truck along the Itori-Wasimi-Abeokuta axis after the driver attempted to evade arrest. A detailed examination of the truck uncovered 113 bags of foreign parboiled rice carefully concealed beneath bags of cement.
“Allowing uncustomed goods of this nature into our markets directly undermines and paralyses local industries, ultimately worsening unemployment among our teeming youth. We remain resolute in our mandate to protect the national economy and secure our land borders,” he added.
In line with inter-agency collaboration, the Command handed over the seized cannabis sativa and other regulated items to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC. in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
The NDLEA Commander of Idiroko Special Area Command, Ekundayo Williams, who received the cannabis, stressed the need for collective action.
In addition, the NCS graduated 50 officers from the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, NCCSC, Gwagwalada, with two officers from Abuja Public Relations Unit emerging as the Overall Best and Second-Best Graduating Students in Senior Course 14/2026.
At the graduating ceremony in Abuja yesterday, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Ridwan Yusuf emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student, and Chief Superintendent of Customs Nuruddeen Sa’idu, as the Second-Best Graduating Student.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, TRADOC, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Sulaiman Chiroma, congratulated them on completing one of the Service’s most demanding professional training programmes.
DCG Chiroma charged the officers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and courage, urging them to remain mission-focused and continue to serve the nation with honesty, integrity and dedication.
The Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Duwoh Gaura reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to producing competent officers in line with the Comptroller-General’s vision of a more efficient, technology-driven and professional NCS.
The graduation marked another milestone in the Service’s commitment to developing highly skilled officers capable of meeting the evolving demands of Customs administration and border management.
