Customs intercepts 19th century artefacts, seizes N1.35bn contraband in Ogun

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, has seized smuggled two 19th century artefacts and other prohibited goods valued at N1.35 billion in Ogun State. The Acting Controller of the Command, Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday, at the Sentry Idiroko Border Post. Afeni stated that through the command’s renewed […]

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, has seized smuggled two 19th century artefacts and other prohibited goods valued at N1.35 billion in Ogun State.

The Acting Controller of the Command, Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday, at the Sentry Idiroko Border Post.

Afeni stated that through the command’s renewed focus on intelligence-driven operations, smuggled goods including 5,455 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totalling 13,625 litres, 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 2,539 jerry cans of smuggled vegetable oil, 4,35 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 2,547 parcels of cannabis sativa of various sizes, were seized during the operation.

Other intercepted items, according to him, include second-hand clothing and footwear, imported sugar, used tyres, pharmaceutical products, perfume oil, two used vehicles and four live pangolins

“These seizures send a strong message to economic saboteurs that this command will continue to make the operating environment extremely hostile for smugglers,” the Comptroller stated.

 

He, however, said that the seized cannabis consignments had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Idiroko Special Command, while the live pangolins were transferred to wildlife conservation authorities.

 

He hinted that the intercepted artefacts were officially transferred to the National Museum in Abeokuta after expert appraisal.

 

On revenue generation, Afeni disclosed that the command generated N285,652,469 within the period under review, surpassing the N259,265,495 collected during the same period in 2025.

 

“The revenue increase recorded by the command is a direct result of enhanced baggage assessment, auction sales of seized petroleum products, and strict enforcement of Customs fiscal policies,” he said.

 

While speaking on trade facilitation, Ayeni revealed that the command recorded a notable improvement in export activities, facilitating the movement of 95 metric tonnes of goods valued at N305,749,064 free-on-board, compared to zero exports recorded during the same period in 2025.