Ogun Customs Seizes N2.47bn Contraband, N417m Range Rover in Anti-Smuggling Crackdown

The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command, has intercepted contraband with a total Duty Paid Value of N2.47 billion, including a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 valued at N417.01 million.

The Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.

Afeni said the seizures were recorded between August 14 and September 17, 2026, through intelligence-led operations, enhanced border surveillance and inter-agency collaboration.

The seized items include 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 3,893 parcels of cannabis indica weighing 1.878 tonnes, 428 pneumatic tyres, 8,675 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 24 bales of second-hand clothing, four sacks of used shoes and 500 litres of diesel.

Afeni described the Range Rover seizure as a major highlight of the operation, expressing concern that someone could afford such a vehicle yet attempt to evade customs duties.

“You can imagine someone could have money to buy this and omit its dues,” he said.

The total DPV of all seizures was put at N2,469,153,523.68, which Afeni said demonstrated the command’s uncompromising zero-tolerance policy for border economic sabotage.

The command also handed over the 3,893 parcels of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation.

Receiving the narcotics, the NDLEA Idiroko Commander, Oluwafemi Akande, said the agency had resolved to make the border corridor a no-go area for drug traffickers.

“We have made Idiroko no-go area, no passage for drugs,” Akande said.

Afeni attributed the operational successes to the dedication of officers and men of the command, as well as the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team.

He warned perpetrators of economic sabotage that the command would continue to be a hostile zone for uncustomed goods and illicit trade.