The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday said it had seized contraband with a duty-paid value of N2.469bn between August and September, including a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 worth over N417m.
The Acting Area Controller of the command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday during a press conference at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.
Afeni said the seizures were made as part of the command’s efforts to combat smuggling, secure the nation’s borders and facilitate legitimate trade.
He stated that other seized items included 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 3,893 parcels of cannabis weighing 1.878 tonnes, 428 pneumatic tyres, 8,675 litres of Premium Motor Spirit stored in kegs, 24 bales of second-hand clothing, four sacks of used shoes and 500 litres of diesel.
Afeni said, “Ladies and gentlemen. One of the highlights of today’s briefing is the seizure of 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 worth Four Hundred and Seventeen Million, Eleven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Two Naira (417,011,982,000.00).
“Total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures recorded within this period is put at Two Billion, Four Hundred and Six Nine million, One Hundred and fifty three thousand -Five-Hundred-and twenty Three-Naira Sixty-Eight Kobo (N2,469,153,523.68), demonstrating our uncompromising zero-tolerance policy for border economic sabotage.”
He disclosed that in pursuance of inter-agency collaboration, the command was also handing over 3,893 parcels of cannabis sativa to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command for further investigation.
Afeni said border security was a collective responsibility and that, in the past ten months, the command had hosted high-level joint engagements and security meetings to harmonise operations along the Ogun border corridors.
He revealed that “We deepened operational synergies with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA, and environmental management agencies to counter cross-border crimes effectively.
“We sustained constructive dialogue with traditional rulers, youth leaders, and border community associations to build mutual trust and reduce hostility during enforcement operations.
“In the area of Corporate Social Responsibility & Environmental Initiatives, our commitment extends beyond core customs enforcement to fostering holistic community growth and environmental stewardship.”
Afeni added that the recent accomplishments of the command were a testament to the dedication, resilience and integrity of the officers and men, as well as the unwavering support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management team.
The Comptroller lauded the operatives of the command for their dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment to duty under challenging conditions, saying that their dedication had been the bedrock of these accomplishments.
Afeni also thanked the host communities, traditional rulers and media partners for their cooperation and trust in his leadership and commitment to safeguarding the country from all forms of criminal acts in and around the country’s borders.
The Comptroller, however, warned that his leadership would never relent in making life difficult for those aiding and abetting all forms of criminality around the country’s borders.
He declared that “To the perpetrators of economic sabotage and illegal border activities, our message remains unequivocal: Ogun I Command will continue to be a hostile zone for uncustomed goods and illicit trade. We remain resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests and national security.”
