Customs Service seizes Tramadol, spaghetti, rice, 2 cars worth N604.3m in Kwara
The Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara Area Command, has intercepted contraband and other prohibited items with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N604.33 million across various routes in the state.
The seizures, according to the Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Ogundeyi, included 3,396 packets of 100mg Tramadol, 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 270 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 6,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), used clothing and two high-value vehicles.
Ogundeyi disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing in Ilorin, where he said the seizures were the outcome of intelligence-led operations conducted across vulnerable corridors and identified smuggling routes.
He said the Command would not allow Kwara to become a safe haven or transit corridor for illicit cross-border activities, stressing that its enforcement operations were targeted at protecting national revenue, local industries, public health and national security.
The two vehicles intercepted comprised a 2025 Toyota Highlander valued at N214 million and a 2018 Dodge Charger SXT with a DPV of N77.59 million.
Other seizures included 80 bales and six sacks of used clothing intercepted along the Ogbomoso/Jebba axis with a DPV of N32.3 million; 6,875 litres of PMS intercepted along the Bukuro/Okuta/Chikanda axis valued at N2.75 million; and 14 bags of 5kg Basmati rice intercepted along the Bode-Saadu Expressway with a DPV of N350,000.
The Command also seized 270 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice across various locations, valued at N25.245 million.
The Customs boss said the interception of the foreign food products should not be misconstrued as an attempt by the Service to restrict food availability, explaining that its responsibility was to ensure compliance with existing laws governing international trade.
Ogundeyi explained that the illegal movement of foreign food items through unapproved routes undermined government policies aimed at strengthening local agricultural production and protecting domestic investments.
He said, “When goods are moved through unapproved routes, bypass regulatory checks, or lack proper documentation, the Service is legally mandated to intervene.”
According to him, the interception of 3,396 packets of Tramadol worth more than N50.9 million is particularly significant because of the danger posed by the unregulated movement of controlled pharmaceuticals.
He said, “Unregulated entry of controlled substances poses severe risks to national security and public safety.”
On the PMS seizure, Ogundeyi said the interception was necessary to prevent the diversion of strategic petroleum products intended for domestic consumption into illicit markets.
He said the seizures reflected the changing tactics of smugglers, who were increasingly adopting different routes and methods to evade enforcement agencies.
Beyond seizures, the Command recorded N7.978 billion in revenue during the period under review.
Ogundeyi said the revenue figure, totalling N7,978,338,031.21, demonstrated the Command’s commitment to generating funds for the Federal Government while balancing revenue collection with trade facilitation and border security.
He attributed the successes recorded by the Command to intelligence gathering, sustained patrols and collaboration with sister security agencies.
“I commend the Command’s Intelligence Unit and Customs Police Unit, particularly acknowledging the enhanced momentum under its new leadership, as well as the resilient officers and men of the Kwara Area Command for their dedication across vast and challenging terrains,” he said.
The Acting Controller also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his strategic direction and support to the Command.
He called on border communities, traditional rulers, transporters and other stakeholders to support the fight against smuggling by providing credible and timely information to security agencies.
“Our position remains absolute: Legitimate trade will receive our maximum support, but smuggling will encounter uncompromising enforcement,” Ogundeyi said.
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