The Oyo/Osun Customs Area Command announced Monday a glowing record of accomplishments attained within the first 17 days of March 2025, resulting in heavy seizures of foreign rice, Cannabis Sativa, and Used Tyres, amongst others.

“I am pleased to inform you that, within the last 17 days after the Command’s maiden press briefing under my distinguished leadership, the Command has once again recorded a significant seizure of foreign parboiled rice, Cannabis Sativa, Used Tyres, used Clothes, Used Shoes and Used Compressors with a Duty Paid Value of ₦468,706,602.00k”, the Customs Area Controller CAC, Joseph Olugbuyi Adelaja stated in Ibadan.

In his maiden address in February, Adelaja had indicated that within the first 22 days of his assumption of duty, significant milestones were similarly recorded both in the area of revenue generation and anti-smuggling activities, culminating in the collection of ₦2,048,487,969.00k as revenue for the period of 1st February – 27th February 2025, while the sum of ₦165,387,000.00k was recorded for the anti-smuggling activities during this same period.

Adelaja stated that the achievement was made possible through effective intelligence sharing by the Customs Intelligence Unit, the Customs Police Unit, and the unwavering support of relevant stakeholders who collaborated with the Command to accomplish yet another milestone. 

He subsequently provided a breakdown, which showed the undermentioned seizures:

1. Foreign parboiled rice

2,030 (50kg) Bags

₦223,300,000.00k

2. Used Clothes

28 Bales

₦20,160,000.00k

3. Used Shoes

1 Bale

₦420,000.00k

4. Used Refrigerator Compressors

28 Pieces

₦1,764,000.00k

5. Used Ac Compressors

8 Pieces

₦252,000.00k

6. Used tyres

167 Pieces 

₦16,032,000.00k

7. Premium Motor Spirit

167 (25 Liters Kegs)

₦4,592,500.00k

8. Cannabis Sativa

660kg

₦21,780,000.00k

9. Means Of Conveyance 3; 

₦180,406,102.00kk

TOTAL

₦468,706,602.00k

 He noted that the foreign parboiled rice was concealed in three heavy-duty trucks.

“Unfortunately, these trucks were used to smuggle prohibited items. These illegal activities undermine the nation’s economic development and pose a serious threat to the safety and well-being of our citizens.

“I would like to sound a note of warning to smugglers who persist in engaging in illegal activities that are detrimental to the economic growth of our nation that the Oyo/Osun Area Command will leave no stone unturned to enforce necessary compliance of Customs laws. 

“I would like to assure the general public that the officers and men of the Oyo/Osun Area Command remain resolute in the fight against smuggling and illicit trade, as we would not relent on our efforts to curb these unlawful acts. 

“On this note, I call on our relevant stakeholders and patriotic citizens to continue extending their maximum support and cooperation in the fight against smuggling and other illegal activities. Your unwavering support is invaluable and will greatly enhance our ability to effectively discharge our duties in safeguarding the nation’s economy.

“I would like to seize this opportunity to appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR fnipr psc+ and his Management Team for the unwavering support extended to the Officers and Men of the Command in ensuring the efficient discharge of our duties.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Abiodun Makinde fse, for his unwavering dedication and the pivotal role he played in ensuring that the officers and men of the Oyo/Osun Area Command operate in an enabling environment to effectively discharge our primary duties. 

“While extending my sincere appreciation to our esteemed traditional rulers for their continuous support and cooperation, which remain invaluable to the success of our operations. I also acknowledge the unwavering commitment and collaboration of our sister security agencies within the state. 

“To the officers and men of the Oyo/Osun Area Command, I sincerely commend your resilience, dedication, and commitment to suppressing smuggling and ensuring compliance with Customs extant laws. 

“Your efforts are duly recognized and appreciated. I urge you all to remain steadfast and intensify your commitment to the discharge of your statutory duties”, Comptroller Adelaja further stated.

…Credits the feat to CGC’s unwavering support and his Officers’ dedicated commitment to duty 

The Apapa Port Customs Command on Friday breaks own record, as it rallies around its strength to achieve a daily revenue collection of ₦18.9bn.

The  Friday, March 14, 2025 feat stands out as the Command’s highest collection in history, with the Customs Area Controller CAC, Dr Babatunde Olomu, describing the accomplishment as the beginning of greater exploits to be achieved in 2025.

Hitherto, the existing highest daily collection was ₦18.2b, which sthe ame Comptroller Olomu achieved in October 2024.

Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Ph.D, while crediting the feat to the unwavering support of the Comptroller General and his management team, also generously lauded the dedicated commitment of his officers to duty, sustenance of compliance as a norm, and promotion of industrial harmony in Apapa Port as well.

It was equally learnt that the Controller, acting under the directives of the CGC had spearheaded high level discussions to partner with the Nigerian Ports Authority in resolving all crises with port users and truckers over issues around the Eto’o call up system, which had caused traffic gridlock along the Apapa Port corridor. 

Further to the CGC’s directives, Comptroller Olomu also  stepped in to prevent the planned withdrawal of service by maritime workers and freight forwarders due to unresolved issues between them on one hand and APM Terminals on the other hand. 

“In line with the directives of the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR who has promotion of robust stakeholder engagement as one of his cardinal thrusts, we intervened in the disputes involving sister government agencies, terminal operators and stakeholders in the port”

The efforts of the CGC, through the CAC prevented a shutdown of port activities and promoted productivity with seamless import and export activities, which correspondingly resulted in the mind-blowing revenue feat.

Speaking on the impressive revenue collection and harmonious working environment, Comptroller Olomu said, “Ports are critical national assets with direct impacts on the economy touching on local and global trade. It is, therefore, imperative to keep the ports working, especially Apapa Port, which accounts for the highest volume of cargoes coming into Nigeria.” 

“In line with the directives of the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR who has promotion of robust stakeholder engagement as one of his cardinal thrusts, we intervened in the disputes involving sister government agencies, terminal operators and stakeholders in the port”. 

“We are also not lowering our guard in the fight against smuggling as our officers are ever ready to detect concealments, under declaration, false declaration, and other antics geared towards duty evasion”

“It is heartwarming to note that our intervention succeeded in promoting uninterrupted trade and strengthening port users’ confidence”

“Our record-breaking achievement of ₦18.9b daily collection on Friday, March 14, 2025, is the beginning of greater exploits to be attained this year. We are also not lowering our guard in the fight against smuggling as our officers are ever ready to detect concealments, under declaration, false declaration, and other antics geared towards duty evasion,” he said.

…As Customs Seizes 34,470 Litres, dismantles smuggling network 

The Comptroller General of Customs CGC, Adewale Adeniyi has ordered the sale of newly intercepted 34,470 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), to Nigerians.

The contraband was impounded along the Adamawa and Taraba border corridors, by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) operatives, who were acting on intelligence.

The operatives also seized 1,149 jerry cans of PMS, along with a specially modified transport vehicle valued at ₦4 million, bringing the total duty-paid value of the confiscated items to ₦37.78 million.

“The economic implications extend beyond revenue losses it disrupts supply chains, fuels artificial scarcity, and undermines regional security”

Speaking at a press briefing in Jalingo, Taraba State Capital, on Thursday, 13th March 2025, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, described the operation as a strategic response to the growing sophistication of transnational smuggling networks. 

“Our intelligence-led operations have revealed that this corridor is a strategic transit point for cross-border petroleum diversion. The economic implications extend beyond revenue losses it disrupts supply chains, fuels artificial scarcity, and undermines regional security,” he said.

 “We have intelligence that some officers and members of border communities are aiding smugglers”

CGC also issued a stern warning against internal collusion, stating, “We have intelligence that some officers and members of border communities are aiding smugglers. We will dig deeper into this and ensure that those involved face the full wrath of the law.”

Reaffirming the Service’s commitment to combating smuggling, the Comptroller of Customs, Adamawa/Taraba Command, Garba Bashir, emphasised the dangers of illicit trade.

 “Smuggling weakens legitimate trade, encourages revenue loss, increases crime, and endangers our citizens. The operatives of Operation Whirlwind, under the leadership of the Comptroller General, have intensified efforts to dismantle these smuggling networks,” he said.

The Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Hussaini Ejibunu, highlighted the efficiency of intelligence-led operations, revealing that the seizures were made within three hours. 

“This is an intelligence-based operation, not one conducted at fixed checkpoints. The results you see today confirm that Taraba is being used as a conduit for smuggling,” he stated. 

He further urged community members to support the fight against smuggling, adding, “There is no hiding place for criminals. Anyone caught will be prosecuted. We urge the public: if you see something, say something.”

To mitigate the effects of smuggling-induced fuel shortages, the Comptroller General of Customs directed that the seized petroleum products would be sold to citizens at a subsidised rate.