NIGERIA: Nigeria Customs Service Seizes 1,902 Items, Raises ₦2.53bn Revenue In Kwara

By Balogun Arisekola Azeez, Ilorin

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has seized 1,902 prohibited and smuggled items and generated ₦2.53 billion in revenue from excise operations within the review period of two months.

The Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command headquarters in Ilorin.

Ogundeyi said the interceptions followed sustained intelligence-led enforcement and coordinated patrols across major smuggling corridors in Kwara State, warning that smugglers would continue to face decisive actions.

“It is barely two months since our last press briefing… I made it abundantly clear that smuggling activities would not be tolerated under my watch, and that Kwara Area Command would no longer serve as a safe haven for illegal trade.”

Among the seizures were five second-hand vehicles, popularly known as Tokunbo vehicles, intercepted at Alapa Patrol Base and Bode Saadu axis.

Officers also confiscated 60 sacks, six jumbo sacks, and two bales of second-hand clothing, alongside 222 used compressors and 15 used tyres during operations at Eiyenkorin area.

“These seizures are a clear demonstration of our renewed operational strategy, which is anchored on intelligence gathering, coordinated patrols, and strategic deployment of personnel across identified smuggling corridors.”

The Command further intercepted 44 bags of 50kg imported sugar and 317 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit suspected to be intended for illegal cross-border smuggling.

A total of 1,107 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each were seized at various patrol bases, while nine vehicles loaded with smuggled rice were impounded during coordinated operations.

Operatives also recovered 120 sacks of illegally mined lithium ore during enforcement operations around Alapa/Banni axis of the state.

“These interceptions underscore our unwavering commitment to intelligence-led enforcement operations… to curb economic sabotage, protect legitimate businesses, safeguard national revenue, and ensure compliance with extant laws.”

Ogundeyi revealed that the seizures have a Duty Paid Value of ₦478.17 million, while the Command generated ₦2,527,531,290.00 from excise duties.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to suppressing smuggling and stren

gthening national revenue.