Customs seizes N1.2bn worth of smuggled rice, vehicles, others in Kwara

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has recorded seizures of contraband goods valued at over N1.2 billion within one month.

The acting Area Controller, Mr. Najeem Ogundeyi, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the Command’s headquarters in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Ogundeyi said the seized items include 389 bales of second-hand clothing and 108 sacks of used bags intercepted along the Ogbomoso–Eyenkorin Expressway.

Also seized were about 6,500 litres of petroleum products intercepted at various patrol bases along border routes in the Bukuro axis.

He further revealed that 450 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg, were intercepted at different patrol locations along the Okuta axis. In addition, three vehicles were seized, including a new Toyota Land Cruiser VX (2025 model) and a new Lexus LX 600 (2025 model) intercepted around Bode Saadu in Moro Local Government Area, as well as a Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 (2016 model) intercepted along the Okuta axis of Baruten Local Government Area.

According to him, 170 pieces of used tyres were also seized during the period under review.
Ogundeyi noted that the seized vehicles are currently under detention pending further investigation and necessary action.
He stated that the total duty-paid value of all the seized items stands at N1,219,209,369.

“This briefing is to formally present to the public and relevant stakeholders the seizures recorded by the Command within less than one month of my assumption of office,” he said.

He added that the achievements reflect the commitment of officers and men of the Kwara Area Command to the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service, including revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and facilitation of legitimate trade.

Ogundeyi emphasized that the Command operates strictly in line with the Customs Act 2023, guided by professionalism, intelligence-driven operations, and zero tolerance for compromise.

“I am pleased to report that these directives have already started yielding positive results. Within this short period, the Command has intercepted various consignments of prohibited and improperly imported goods through diligent patrols, credible intelligence, and sustained enforcement across our area of responsibility,” he added.