The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko Border, has intercepted 16 kilogrammes of heroin, 12 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (ICE), and 1,502 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, alongside other prohibited items, with a cumulative value put at over ₦2.6 billion.
The Acting Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the command’s activities within 11 days of his assumption of office.
Afeni said the hard drugs were seized during six intelligence-driven operations carried out between Thursday, December 4 and Monday, December 15, 2025, across different locations in Ogun State.
According to him, the narcotics intercepted included 16 wraps of a white substance identified as heroin, weighing 16kg, and 11 wraps of crystal meth (ICE) weighing 12kg. He added that cannabis sativa of varying sizes was also seized, comprising 128 doughnut-sized units, 2,752 coconut-sized units and 401 booklet-sized units, with a combined weight of 1,502kg.
He put the Duty Payable Value (DPV) of the narcotics seizures at ₦463 million, describing the development as disturbing due to the grave consequences of illicit drugs on youths, public health and national security.
In line with inter-agency collaboration, the seized drugs were formally handed over to the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, Commander Ekundayo William, for further investigation and prosecution.
Afeni reaffirmed the commitment of the command to dismantling criminal networks through intelligence gathering, technology and sustained cooperation with sister agencies.
In addition to the drug seizures, the Customs boss said operatives of the command intercepted several consignments of prohibited goods within the period under review.
He revealed that on December 12, 2025, Customs officers intercepted an Iveco truck with registration number RMY 354 XA, conveying 4,998 cartons of foreign pasta (Doga brand spaghetti, 10kg each) and 419 cartons of Oba brand spaghetti (10kg each), illegally imported into Nigeria from Turkey.
Similarly, on December 13, 2025, a DAF truck with registration number JHN-590-X was intercepted with 2,200 kegs of vegetable oil, 25 litres each, of Indonesian origin. Afeni noted that the food items are prohibited for importation into Nigeria.
He stated that the combined Duty Paid Value of the seized food items stood at ₦291.26 million, while the trucks used for conveyance were valued at ₦222 million, adding that both the items and the vehicles were liable to forfeiture to the Federal Government in accordance with existing laws.
Afeni warned that the smuggling of substandard food products posed serious health risks to unsuspecting Nigerians, as such items often bypass mandatory health and safety checks.
Other seizures recorded by the command include 6,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), 4,738 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), two foreign-used vehicles, eight means of conveyance and 309 bundles of used pneumatic tyres.
He disclosed that the total Duty Paid Value of these additional seizures, made across Lusada/Ado-Odo, Abule Kazeem/Igbo-Ora Road, Abeokuta, Imeko, Idiroko/Owode and Ipokia axes, was estimated at ₦1.5 billion.
On revenue generation, Afeni noted that although Ogun I Area Command is primarily an enforcement unit, it generated ₦27.29 million within the period through the efforts of its officers and the cooperation of compliant traders.
Reiterating the resolve of the command to combat smuggling, Afeni assured that Customs officers would remain vigilant and proactive in protecting Nigeria’s economic and security interests.
“We have intensified surveillance, strengthened intelligence deployment, and deepened collaboration with sister agencies and community stakeholders to enhance border security operations,” he said.
