The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has intercepted various contraband items and vehicles with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N604.3 million.
The Customs Area Controller, Mr Najeem Ogundeyi, disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin at a news conference on the activities of the command.
Ogundeyi said the seizures included 80 bales and six sacks of used clothing valued at N32.3 million, intercepted along the Ogbomoso-Jebba axis.
He said 6,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), valued at N2.75 million, were also intercepted along the Bukuro-Okuta-Chikanda axis.
The controller added that 3,396 packets of Tramadol 100mg, with a DPV of N50.946 million, were intercepted along the Okuta axis.
Other seized items included 14 bags of Basmati rice, 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti and 270 bags of foreign parboiled rice.
Ogundeyi said 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 N77.59 million, along the Lagos-Kwara highway at Eyenkorin.
He said the seizures reflected the changing tactics employed by smugglers, including the diversion of petroleum products, trafficking in dangerous pharmaceuticals and smuggling of uncustomed vehicles.
Ogundeyi said the seizure of Tramadol underscored the role of the Service in protecting public health and national security.
“The unregulated entry of controlled substances poses severe risks to national security and public safety,” he said.
The controller said the interception of PMS was aimed at preventing the illegal diversion of strategic national resources meant for domestic consumption into illicit border markets.
On revenue generation, Ogundeyi said the command generated N7.978 billion during the period under review.
He said the revenue performance demonstrated the command’s commitment to maximising revenue for the Federal Government while facilitating legitimate trade and safeguarding national security.
Ogundeyi attributed the command’s achievements to intelligence-led operations, robust patrol activities and collaboration with other security agencies.
He commended the command’s Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit and other officers and men for their dedication to duty.
The controller also appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his strategic direction and support to the command.
Ogundeyi urged members of the public, border communities, traditional leaders and commercial transporters to provide credible intelligence to security agencies to help curb smuggling and other trans-border crimes.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to supporting legitimate trade while maintaining uncompromising enforcement against smuggling. (NAN)
