The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 6,035 parcels of suspected cannabis, including consignments described as “Ghana Loud”, as well as 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and other prohibited items with a combined duty-paid value of N3.57 billion.

The seizures, made in operations conducted from June 24 to August 13, 2026, were disclosed yesterday by the Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Command, Deputy Comptroller OO Afeni, during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.

Afeni said the seizures formed part of the command’s intensified campaign against smuggling and cross-border trafficking, adding that the operation was being strengthened through intelligence gathering, technology and collaboration with sister security agencies.

According to him, the items seized included 70 cartons of basmati rice, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 11,450 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesel, 100 bags of fertiliser, 67 bales of second-hand clothing and 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers.

Other seized items were 3,760 pieces of new tops, 85 fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Haven drinks, 53 packages of oats, 47 cartons of cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, three packages of surgical shoes and 127 new purses.

Afeni said the command had also intercepted prohibited drugs and other illicit consignments concealed through increasingly sophisticated methods.

He described smuggling as an economic and security threat, arguing that the influx of foreign rice and other prohibited goods undermined local farmers, manufacturers and businesses while frustrating government efforts to promote domestic production.

“Smuggling is an economic sabotage that robs our children of a secure future,” he said, warning smugglers and their collaborators that the command would continue to seize illicit consignments, impound vehicles and prosecute offenders.

Afeni said the command had handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, since January.

The 6,035 parcels of suspected cannabis displayed at the briefing were formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation in line with established procedures.

Afeni also disclosed that the Ogun I Command generated N90.07 million in July from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable goods, PMS and other charges.

On exports, he said the command recorded 10,110 metric tonnes during the period, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N2.59 billion. White talc, crushed thermal coal and compressed natural gas (CNG) were identified as the major drivers of the export volume.

The Customs chief urged traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to support the fight against smuggling by providing information on suspicious activities.

He also appealed to Nigerians to patronise locally produced agricultural and manufactured goods, particularly rice, saying such support would strengthen domestic industries, create jobs and improve food security.

Afeni commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his support and leadership, while praising officers of the Ogun I Command for their efforts in combating smuggling and other forms of cross-border crime.

Responding at the ceremony, Deputy Commander of the NDLEA, Adewale Fagbohun, commended the Customs Service for the seizures, describing them as evidence of effective inter-agency collaboration in the fight against cross-border crime.

Fagbohun assured that the NDLEA would strengthen its partnership with Customs and other stakeholders to disrupt the supply chains of drug trafficking networks and prevent illicit substances from entering the country.