By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has intercepted prohibited and uncustomed goods with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦604.33 million across various operational corridors, while generating ₦7.98 billion in revenue during the period under review.
The Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC), Kwara Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Najeem Ogundeyi, disclosed this on Thursday, 10 September 2026, during a press briefing where he gave an account of the Command’s enforcement activities, revenue performance and efforts to curb illicit cross-border trade.
The seizures included 80 bales and six sacks of used clothing valued at ₦32.3 million; 6,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at ₦2.75 million; 3,396 packets of Tramadol 100mg valued at ₦50.95 million; 14 bags of Basmati rice valued at ₦350,000; and 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti valued at ₦201.15 million.
Also intercepted were 270 bags of foreign parboiled rice valued at ₦25.25 million, a 2025 Toyota Highlander valued at ₦214 million and a 2018 Dodge Charger SXT valued at ₦77.59 million, with the seizures recorded along the Ogbomoso/Jebba, Bukuro/Okuta/Chikanda, Bode-Saadu and Lagos/Kwara highway corridors.
Najeem Ogundeyi said the Command would not allow its operational corridors to become channels for illicit trade, stressing that its enforcement operations were driven by intelligence, patrols and collaboration with sister security agencies. “Our position remains absolute: Legitimate trade will receive our maximum support, but smuggling will encounter uncompromising enforcement,” he warned.
DC Ogundeyi also clarified that intercepting foreign food products should not be interpreted as opposition to food availability, explaining that the Service’s responsibility is to enforce laws governing cross-border trade. “When goods are moved through unapproved routes, bypass regulatory checks, or lack proper documentation, the Service is legally mandated to intervene,” he stated, adding that such enforcement protects local producers and legitimate traders from unfair competition.
He described the seizure of 3,396 packets of Tramadol as a significant public health and security concern, while noting that intercepting 6,875 litres of PMS would help prevent the diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption into illicit border markets. He said the Command’s revenue performance further demonstrated its commitment to maximising revenue for the Federal Government while balancing trade facilitation and enforcement.
The Ag. CAC commended the Command’s Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit and officers and men for their efforts across challenging operational terrains, while acknowledging the support of sister security agencies and the strategic direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
