By Oladapo Afeni
Good morning and welcome to the headquarters of Ogun I Area Command. We have called for this press briefing to update the public on our ongoing, relentless campaign against smuggling and to execute a critical inter-agency handover that underscores the strength of our national security architecture.
I stand before you today not just as the Customs Area Controller, but as a concerned citizen who cares deeply about the economic stability, health, and security of our nation. Smuggling is often painted by perpetrators as a harmless commercial venture or a simple means of survival. Today, I am here to clear that misconception and lay bare the severe dangers that the smuggling of foreign rice and other prohibited items poses to us all.
When foreign rice is smuggled into our markets, it undermines our local farmers and agricultural investors. Our government and local entrepreneurs have invested billions to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. Unimpeded smuggling forces local mills to close and leaves our farmer’s bankrupt.
Agriculture is one of our largest employers of youth. By buying smuggled foreign grain instead of locally processed rice, we effectively export jobs to other countries while worsening unemployment and poverty at home. Smuggled foreign rice is often re-bagged under unhygienic conditions or stored in warehouses for years, deteriorating past its safe consumption date.
While some may view this simply as enforcement of import restrictions, the reality goes much deeper. This seizure is about protecting the livelihoods of our local farmers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs. Every time a bag of rice, bottle of smuggled vegetable oil, a bottle of foreign wine or a carton of foreign pasta crosses our borders illegally, it deals a direct blow to our domestic industries thereby undermining national self-sufficiency. Our country has the capacity, the fertile land, and the industrious workforce to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. Unchecked smuggling cripples these national aspirations.
To those engaging in or aiding these illegal activities, the short-term profit is not worth the long-term ruin of your community and country. Smuggling is an economic sabotage that robs our children of a secure future. No nation can grow when its borders are treated as gateways for criminality.
Gentlemen of the press, in line with the mandate of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR PhD, Ogun I command under my leadership has stepped up operations. We are leveraging enhanced intelligence, modern technology, and stiffer enforcement measures. We will arrest offenders, seize contraband, and ensure that culprits face the full wrath of the law.
In recent months, this command has recorded an unprecedented wave of constant, back-to-back seizures of foreign parboiled rice and illicit drugs. Smugglers and enemies of the state are becoming more desperate, employing highly sophisticated concealment methods to smuggle hard drugs into the country.
However, our intelligence networks, technological integration, and the raw determination of our officers on the frontline have proven superior. We have consistently dismantled their networks, intercepted their goods, and choked their supply lines. We will continue to put them on their toes, hit them very hard by making Ogun I command hostile for them.
Gentlemen of the press, I recognize the critical role the media can play especially in the area of sensitization and enlightenment to all our stakeholders and the society at large and this is one of the reasons why I have called for this briefing to partner with the media in order to achieve willful compliance from the public as well as to showcase what the command is doing, our activities and the successes recorded from 24th June 2026 to date. I urge journalists to conduct thorough investigations before broadcasting or publishing their reports, ensuring legitimate trade is not confused with illicit activity as erroneously reported in some quarters
In our quest to sustain the tempo of aiding one of the Federal Government policies on agricultural development in the area of boosting local rice production, the fight against smuggling activities has continued and will continue to receive a sustained momentum that will lead to more seizures and enforcement of Federal Government policies towards curtailing smuggling activities.
In line with the Federal Government’s policy on agricultural development specifically to boost local rice production, our command has intensified efforts to make our territories hostile to rice smugglers and contraband traders. I appeal to all Nigerians to support these fiscal policies and embrace local agricultural products, particularly rice, to ensure self-reliance and potential for export.
Today, we are showcasing the visual proof of our vigilance. The items being parade today include:
a. 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice
b. 70 cartons of basmati rice
c. 6,035 parcels of Ghana loud/Indica
d. 30 bags of foreign sugar (50kg each)
e. 2,674 pieces of new short and trousers
f. 11,450 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS) in kegs
g. 1,750 liters of PMS in drums
h. 30 kegs of diesels of 25 liters
i. 100 bags of fertilizer
j. 67 bales of secondhand clothing
k. 2,674 pieces of new short/trousers
l. 3,760 pieces of new top
m. 85 pieces of fire extinguisher
n. 480 cartons of pure haven drinks
o. 53 package oats
p. 47 cartons of cosmetics
q. 36 packages of hair accessories
r. 3 packages of surgical shoes
s. 127 pieces of new purse
The total duty paid value (DPV) is N3, 574, 435, 248. 08
These are not just numbers. These are millions of doses of devastation that would have otherwise flooded our communities, fueled violent crime, and ruined the lives of our youth. Our mandate as an enforcement agency is clear, intercept, seize, and arrest. However, the specialized war against drug abuse and trafficking is a relay race. The true victory lies in seamless inter agency collaboration as no single agency can secure our nation alone.
Statistics has shown that Ghana Loud is linked to acute psychosis, severe cardiovascular distress, rapid addiction, and long-term mental health degradation. The high profit margins of ‘Ghana Loud’ directly fund violent criminal networks, human trafficking, and the illegal proliferation of arms across borders. Traffickers aggressively market these high-potency drugs to young demographics, destabilizing schools and local communities.
The smuggling of cannabis and dangerous variants like Ghana Loud, Colorado and cannabis sativa are not a victimless crime. It destroys lives, breeds violence in our neighbourhoods and undermines our economy. Our agencies are fully coordinated, and we will prosecute anyone involved in the importation these illegal substances to the fullest extent of the law.
It is bitter irony that foreign neighbouring countries happily cultivate these drugs for export, targeting Nigeria’s active market while refusing to consume them themselves. We shall bring them down to their knees
In line with standard operating procedures (SOP) and legal frameworks, I am formally handing over aforementioned seized narcotics to the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command for further investigations.
The fight against drug smuggling is a collective responsibility. The Ogun I Command, under my leadership remains resolute in its commitment to securing our borders and safeguarding our nation’s future.
Gentlemen of the press, from January to date, Ogun I command under my watch has handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw cannabis sativa to NDLEA Idiroko Special Command.
Furthermore, I am pleased to inform you that the command, for the month of July 2026 collected revenue to the tune of ninety million sixty-six thousand one hundred and sixty-four Naira (N90, 066, 164. 00) as baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, PMS and other charges.
On our export performance, the command has recorded a total export volume of 10,110 metric tons with Free On Board (FOB) value of two billion five hundred and ninety-four million seventy-eight thousand six hundred and fifty-four naira (2,594,078,654). The primary drivers of this export volume included white talc, crushed thermal coal and compressed natural gas (CNG).
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is not just a revenue-generating agency; we are the frontline shield protecting our domestic economy. We will not sit by and watch economic saboteurs dismantle the investments made by our local manufacturers.
To the syndicates and smugglers who think they can use Ogun I command as a transit route for poison, hear this clearly. We are adapting faster than you are. If you do not trade legitimately, we will continue to seize your goods, impound your vehicles, and send you to prison
To our traditional rulers, youth leaders, and law-abiding citizens, we need your partnership. We urge you to report suspicious activities along our border corridors. Protecting our economy is a collective responsibility.
To the general public and consumers, we appeal to your patriotism. Let us support our local industries. By consuming locally produced rice, vegetable oil, local wine and pasta, you are investing in our economy, securing jobs, and ensuring food security.
I want to deeply commend the gallantry, integrity, and sleepless nights of the officers and men of this command. Your dedication is saving lives.
Finally, this briefing will be incomplete if failed to appreciate to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD for his dynamic leadership, unflinching support, and consistent encouragement. His administration has redefined operational effectiveness and motivated a culture of excellence across commands nationwide
Thank you, and God bless our nation.
*Being excerpts of the address by the Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC), Ogun 1 Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni at the command headquarter, Idiroko on the interception of cannabis sativa and other smuggled prohibited items recently.
