- Command strengthens border enforcement, intercepts illicit drugs, fuel, and foreign goods as officers earn commendation for operational excellence.
By: AbdulHafeez Oyewole
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has announced a significant operational milestone, generating N3.89 billion in revenue during the first quarter of 2026 while recording seizures of smuggled goods with a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N204.76 million.
Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, disclosed this during the third press briefing of the year held today, Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Ilorin, where he highlighted the command’s achievements in revenue generation, anti-smuggling enforcement, and personnel recognition.
Addressing journalists, senior officers, and representatives of sister security agencies, Ogundeyi credited the command’s performance to the strategic leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as well as enhanced intelligence-driven operations introduced through recent restructuring within the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) and Customs Police Unit (CPU).
He noted that despite the continued closure of Nigeria’s land borders with the Republic of Benin since August 2019, the Kwara Command has sustained strong revenue generation largely through excise duties from licensed factories and aggressive anti-smuggling operations.
Ogundeyi disclosed that between March and early May 2026, customs operatives intercepted a wide range of illegal goods, including 297 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 376 kilograms of cannabis sativa, 3,697 cartons of macaroni pasta, 480 kegs of vegetable oil, second-hand clothing, used tyres, and corrosive substances.
The seized cannabis was formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution, underscoring growing inter-agency collaboration in tackling transborder crimes.
According to the comptroller, despite the prolonged closure of Nigeria’s land border with the Republic of Benin, the command has maintained strong revenue performance through excise duties and legitimate trade channels.
He credited the successes to the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, improved discipline within the Customs Intelligence Unit and Customs Police Unit, and the commitment of officers operating under increasingly challenging conditions.
Beyond seizures and revenue milestones, the event also spotlighted the human side of enforcement, as exceptional officers were honoured for courage, professionalism, and dedication in the line of duty.
Ogundeyi issued a stern warning to smugglers and economic saboteurs, stressing that the command would continue deploying proactive measures to secure national borders and protect the economy.
He also appealed to residents of border communities to support security agencies with timely intelligence, noting that public cooperation remains critical in sustaining the crackdown on illicit trade.
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