Customs Seize Contraband Worth Over N1.2bn in Kwara Within One Month

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

A major anti-smuggling operation has yielded significant results in Kwara State, with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) seizing contraband goods valued at over N1.2 billion within a month, the Acting Area Controller, DC Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, has announced.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin, Ogundeyi attributed the success to the command’s renewed commitment to curbing smuggling, boosting revenue generation, and facilitating legitimate trade. “Our operations are guided by professionalism, intelligence-driven enforcement, and zero tolerance for compromise,” he stated.

The seized items include 389 bales of second-hand clothing, 108 sacks of used bags, 6,500 litres of petroleum products, and 450 bags of foreign parboiled rice. Three vehicles, including a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser VX and a 2025 Lexus LX 600, were also intercepted and are under investigation. The total Duty Paid Value of the confiscated items stands at N1,219,209,369.

Ogundeyi warned smugglers that the Kwara Command is “no longer a safe haven for illegal trade” and vowed to prosecute offenders. He commended officers for their dedication and appealed to stakeholders to support the Customs Service with credible intelligence.