Oyo/Osun Customs intercepts N2.5bn smuggled goods, generates N14.7bn in two months

The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has said that it intercepted and seized hard drugs, substances of abuse and other smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value of N2,531,091,846.30, while five suspects were arrested.

The acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, disclosed this at a press briefing held on Thursday at the Area Command headquarters in Ibadan.

The seized drugs include 1,144 wraps of cannabis sativa, 3,300 packs and 2,140 sachets of Tramadol 250mg, four parcels of Colorado, a parcel of Canadian Loud and a sachet of Ace.

Other intercepted items are 1,603 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg), 123 bales and 18 sacks of used clothing, 88 sacks of used shoes, 1,351 pieces of used tyres, 206 pieces used compressors, 2,270 pieces of foreign textile materials, 692 kegs (25 litres) of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), 29 plastic bottles of vegetable oil (10 litres), and 29 bags of sugar.

Also seized are used vehicles (Tokunbo), including a Lexus SUV, a Toyota Hiace bus, a DAF head truck, a Toyota Corolla car, a Toyota Avensis car and a Chevrolet SUV.

Impounded vehicles, which served as means of conveyance for smuggled goods include a Toyota Highlander, a Mazda 626, Toyota Condom and a Mitsubishi Canter.

It was gathered that the seized hard drugs and substances of abuse were intercepted within the Oyo State axis along Abeokuta-Ibadan Road through an intelligence report.

It was further gathered that immediately the SUV was blocked by Customs operatives, the driver quickly disembarked and ran away to avoid arrest.

Speaking on revenue, the acting Area Controller said that the Oyo/Osun Area Command generated almost N15 billion for January and February this year, which is 46.2 percent increase compared with January and February 2025 which yielded N10.1 billion revenue generation.

The acting Area Controller said that the achievement was a reflection of the Command’s commitment to blocking revenue leakages.

On the anti-smuggling operations, Adewole said they are part of the Command’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation’s economy, in addition to protecting Nigerians, particularly youths, from harmful drugs.

He stated further that the Command had strengthened its surveillance, intelligence gathering through CIU and enforcement operations.

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The Area Controller, who noted that entry of drugs into communities would destroy a lot, said that it prompted his move with the management team in visiting traditional and community leaders to sensitise them and solicit their support.

He expressed concern about the seized drugs which, according to him, were worth over a billion naira, giving it as a reason the Area Command has been working hand-in-hand with other security agencies and traditional rulers, community leaders and youths.

The Area Controller assured that the Area Command has capable officers who work day and night to ensure success in ridding Oyo and Osun states of smugglers.

He warned those he referred to as “economy saboteurs” to stay off the two states or be caught by the long arm of the law.

Adewole reiterated Command’s commitment to enforcing the government’s fiscal policies and protecting the national economy.

The seized drugs were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command, represented by the Deputy Commander of Narcotics in charge of assets and financial investigation, Uchechukwu Valentine Ene.

In his remarks, DCN Ene commended the Nigeria Customs Service, saying that it was a good development that the enormous drugs were being removed from circulation through the anti-smuggling agency.

Expressing worry about the drugs circulating within the society, DCN Ene spoke on how the NDLEA has been carrying out massive operations in Ibadan city to curb the rate at which hard drugs and other substances of abuse are being used, with arrests being made daily.

He stated that removing the intercepted and seized drugs from circulation has shown how determined the Customs operatives are in strengthening the synergy between the two security agencies.

The Deputy Commander of Narcotics commended the acting Area Controller for a job well done, saying that by removing the drugs from circulation, a lot of people had been removed from madness and crime.