WE ARE GRADUALLY RUNNING RICE SMUGGLERS OUT OF BUSINESS; WE’RE NOW CONFRONTING NARCOTICS BARONS-D/COMPT AFENI
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
The Ogun 1 command in Idiroko border is gradually running rice smugglers out of business, as the volume of the product smuggling is reducing, a development that has forced economic saboteurs to now engage in illegal importation of narcotics.
Customs Area Controller of the command, Deputy Comptroller O.O Afeni disclosed that in gew weeks, between December 17 and February 5, the command handed over 7000 wraps to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for regulatory action.
He described cannabis, Canadian as well as Ghanaian loud as the most abused substance globally, pleading with members of the fourth estate of the realm to assist in the enlightenment campaign against this malaise.
Saying their duty remains the suppression of smuggling, revenue generation as well as genuine trade facilitation, he vowed that they would ensure that those items banned do not find their way into the country. While playing host to the members of the League of Maritime Editors who paid him a courtesy visit, he told them;
‘We need a fair reportage. You know we are sometimes labeled, but that will not deter us from our constitutional responsibility’
He stated that his men are currently giving smugglers the chase of their lives, ‘as the Ogun 1 command is turning it hard for narcotics smugglers’
The Area Controller said intelligence available to them showed that the narcotics barons run their business from Ghana to Nigeria, indicating that there is an active market here.
Deputy Comptroller Afeni said they have aligned with the Comptroller General’s strategy on consolidation and collaboration, noting that the command is partnering with students to expose the dangers of drugs in the society.
He also revealed that the high value of narcotics has made the smuggling more attractive to smugglers than rice. He reeled other seizures made in the last two months since he came on board as follows;
In line with the provision of extant laws; trade guidelines and enforcement of government fiscal policy measures, the command has further strengthened its anti-smuggling operations against economic saboteurs through credible intelligence and continuous partnering with other relevant agencies for effective policing of our vast land borders.
The command made a total of 487 seizures. Through intelligence-driven operations and the dedication of their officers, they intercepted and seized the following items:
a. Foreign Parboiled Rice, 50kg each – 22,725 Bags equivalent to 37 trailer load. b. Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) – 2,669 kegs (66,725 liters). c. Red star cartridges- 2,128. d. Cannabis Sativa – 13,332 Parcels. e. Used Clothing – 25 Bales. f. Foreign Used Vehicles – 4 Units. g. Used pneumatic tyres – 2,034 Pieces. h. Gino Tomatoes 12 cartons. i. Sugar 50kg 18 Bags. j. Inhalator insecticide 1 carton. k. Doga brand spaghetti 10kg 4,228 cartons. l. Vegetable oil of 25 liters 2,097 kegs. m. Riodin explosives-1,315 pieces. n. Dane Guns- 11 units. o. Revolver pistol- 2 units. p. Locally made guns- 2 units. q. Crystal Meth 27 Wraps weighing 28.90kg. r. Heroin 16 pieces weighing 16kg. s. Used Boxer Motorcycle 6 Unit (means of conveyance)
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of seized items for the year 2025 is N4, 130,931,100, while the duty paid value of corresponding year 2024 was N1, 791,007,246. This shows that was increment of N 2,339,923,854
He said these achievements are testaments to the commitment of their officers to combating smuggling activities, protecting the economy, and safeguarding the well-being of our society. As they began the New Year, their focus has remained on consolidating the gains of 2025.
“Gentlemen of the press, I am pleased to inform you that, from 1st January, 2026 to this morning, Thursday, 29 January, 2026, the command recorded significant seizures”. These seizures include: i. 1,042 bags of smuggled rice weighing 50kg each. ii. 3,738 parcels of cannabis sativa. iii. 780 Used tyres,. iv. 2 Unit of Revolver Riffle. v. 198 pieces of Cartridges,. vi. 473 kegs PMS (11,825 liters). vii. 6 Used vehicles and one means of conveyance. viii. 4 sacks 25kg of Caffeine Ahydrous (This will be subjected examination to ascertained the value). ix. 72 packs soduku plant extraction Toothpaste- 120g. x. 84 Soduku Vitamin D 108g each. xi. 2 pieces of traditional carvings
According to him, the two seized traditional carvings will be sent for expert appraisal to determine the next course of action. This incident underscores the ongoing threat to our cultural heritage; Ogun I command under my watch will act decisively to nip antiquity theft in the bud to protect our national legacy before such illicit activities escalate The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) N 721,453,612
He said On 12 and 13 December 2025, at different times and places, their operatives intercepted two trucks. Iveco truck with Reg. No RMY-354-XA and Daf truck with Ch. No 532882 suspected to be conveying prohibited items; upon examination, the two trucks in line with the provision of section 227 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
Iveco truck was discovered to be contained 5,417 Cartons of Doga Spaghetti of 10kg each while the Daf truck contained 2,200 of 25 liters each of Super Delicieux vegetable oil with a duty paid value of 84,560,000 and 209,700,000 respectively totaling N291, 260,000
The two trucks worth 220Million which will be forfeited to Federal Government of Nigeria in accordance with provision of Section 248 of Customs Service Act, 2023 which says that any ship, aircraft, vehicle or any means of conveyance found to have been engaged in carrying goods liable to forfeiture
Others seizures include:
a. Cannabis sativa; i. coconut size – 2,798 parcels; ii. Bread Sizes–222 parcels; iii. Booklet sizes – 433 parcels. Total 3,453 parcels. b. Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) –6,750 liters. c. Foreign Parboiled Rice of 50kg each–4,738 bags. d. Foreign-Used Vehicles – 6 units.. e. Means of Conveyance Vehicles –8 units.. f. Used Pneumatic Tyres – 309 bundles. g. Crystal Meth 27 Wraps weighing 28.90kg. h. Used Boxer Motorcycle 6 Unit (means of conveyance)
According to him, the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures stands at ₦1, 586,008.982 a clear testament to our zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and economic sabotage. The seized items were intercepted in different locations within Ogun State, including Lusada/Ado-Odo axis, Abule Kazeem/Igbo-Ora road, Abeokuta, Imeko, Idiroko/Owode, Ipokia, Ogere axis among others. For emphasis, the seizure of Cannabis Sativa is particularly worrisome, given their far-reaching impact on our youth, public health, and national security.
Speaking on behalf of the League of Maritime Editors, the Secretary General, Pastor Felix Kumuyi pledged that his members whom he described as the best brains in maritime journalism will assist in the campaign to enlighten the youths on the negative effects of narcotics to the body, while congratulating the Area Controller on his well deserved appointment by the Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.