Kwara customs rakes in N3.89bn, seizes N204m contraband in anti-smuggling drive

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has announced the generation of over N3.89 billion revenue in the first quarter of 2026, alongside multiple seizures of smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) exceeding N204 million.

Speaking during the third press briefing of the year held on Wednesday, the Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Ogundeyi, said the achievements reflected the renewed commitment of the Command to revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations across Kwara and adjoining border communities.

Ogundeyi attributed the successes recorded by the Command to the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as well as improved intelligence-driven operations within the Command.

According to him, “I wish to express my profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs for his visionary leadership and unwavering support towards the successes of our operations.”

He also commended the management team of the Service for providing operational support and strategic direction that strengthened enforcement activities in the Command.

The Acting Controller noted that despite the continued closure of Nigeria’s land borders with the Republic of Benin since 2019, the Kwara Command had continued to sustain revenue generation through excise duties and anti-smuggling activities.

He disclosed that the Command generated a total sum of N3,895,333,182.94 between January and March 2026.

On anti-smuggling operations, Ogundeyi revealed that operatives of the Command carried out coordinated interceptions in several notorious smuggling flashpoints, including Bukuro, Gurumi, Sikira, Okuta, Boriya, Tewu, Bero, Sango, Okeoyi, Malete, Bani, Offa, Idofian, Eiyenkorin and the Lagos-Ilorin Expressway corridor.

“These areas have remained under close watch due to their strategic use by smugglers attempting illegal trade and smuggling of uncustomed goods both in and out of the country,” he said.

Items intercepted during the operations included 155 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 pieces of used tyres, 418 jerry cans of vegetable oil, and 3,697 packs of macaroni pasta.

Other seizures listed by the Command included 237 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit containing 5,925 litres, 49.5 kilograms of cannabis, 376 kilograms of tramadol, 19 jerry cans of corrosive oxidiser chemicals and 18 bales of second-hand clothing.

The seized items, according to the Command, had a combined DPV of N204,763,439.

Ogundeyi said the seizures underscored the determination of the Nigeria Customs Service to combat smuggling, protect government revenue and promote legitimate trade activities.

He gave the assurance that the Service would continue to deploy intelligence-led strategies to strengthen border security and curb economic sabotage.

“We also call on members of the public, especially those in border communities, to support our efforts by providing timely and credible information. Such cooperation is vital in sustaining the successes recorded so far,” he added.

The Acting Controller further warned individuals involved in illegal cross-border trade to desist, stressing that the Command remained committed to bringing offenders to justice and protecting the nation’s economic interests.