The Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara Area Command, has intercepted consignments of Tramadol, foreign rice, spaghetti, petroleum products, used clothing and two luxury vehicles with a combined Duty Paid Value of N604.33 million.
The Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing in Ilorin, saying the seizures were recorded across different operational corridors in the state.
Ogundeyi said the seizures were the outcome of intelligence-led operations and sustained patrols aimed at preventing Kwara from becoming a transit route for illicit cross-border trade.
He said the Command would remain uncompromising in enforcing customs laws, stressing that legitimate businesses would continue to receive the support of the Service.
According to him, the items seized included 80 bales and six sacks of used clothing intercepted along the Ogbomoso/Jebba axis, valued at N32.3 million; 6,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit worth N2.75 million intercepted along the Bukuro/Okuta/Chikanda axis; and 3,396 packets of 100mg Tramadol valued at N50.946 million intercepted along the Okuta axis.
Other seizures comprised 14 bags of 5kg Basmati rice valued at N350,000; 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti worth N201.15 million; and 270 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice valued at N25.245 million.
The Command also intercepted a 2025 Toyota Highlander valued at N214 million along the Bode-Saadu Expressway and a 2018 Dodge Charger SXT valued at N77.593 million along the Lagos-Kwara highway in the Eyankorin area.
Ogundeyi said the seizures brought the combined DPV of the eight categories of intercepted items to N604,333,592.
He particularly described the seizure of Tramadol as a significant public health and security concern, noting that the illegal importation of controlled pharmaceutical substances could have serious consequences for society.
“The seizure of 3,396 packets of Tramadol (100mg), valued at over N50.9 million, highlights the critical role of border security in public health,” he said.
The Acting Controller also explained that the interception of 6,875 litres of PMS was aimed at preventing the diversion of petroleum products intended for domestic consumption into illicit cross-border markets.
He said the Command’s enforcement against foreign food products was not intended to create food shortages, but to ensure compliance with laws governing international trade.
“The seizure of food products should not be misinterpreted as an opposition by the Nigeria Customs Service to legitimate food availability for Nigerians,” Ogundeyi said.
“Rather, our mandate is to enforce compliance with the laws governing cross-border trade. When goods are moved through unapproved routes, bypass regulatory checks, or lack proper documentation, the Service is legally mandated to intervene.”
He added that the illegal influx of foreign food products could undermine government efforts to stimulate local agricultural production and protect domestic investments.
Ogundeyi disclosed that the Command generated N7,978,338,031.21 in revenue during the period under review, describing the figure as a reflection of its commitment to maximising revenue for the Federal Government while facilitating legitimate trade.
He attributed the Command’s operational successes to intelligence gathering, effective patrols and collaboration with sister security agencies.
According to him, smugglers have continued to change their methods, making intelligence-sharing and inter-agency cooperation crucial to tackling trans-border criminal activities.
He commended the officers and men of the Command, particularly the Intelligence Unit and Customs Police Unit, for their contributions to the seizures.
Ogundeyi also appealed to border communities, traditional rulers, transporters and other stakeholders to support the fight against smuggling by providing credible information to security agencies.
“Our position remains absolute: Legitimate trade will receive our maximum support, but smuggling will encounter uncompromising enforcement,” he said.
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