The Command said the revenue reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting the government’s fiscal objectives while ensuring compliance within the excise sector. According to the service, all funds were collected through excise activities, which remain the sole source of revenue for the area command.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Kwara Area Command, Najeem Ogundeyi, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the command’s activities and seizures during the period under review.
Ogundeyi listed the seizures to include five units of second-hand vehicles, 1,107 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 317 jerrycans of fuel including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and assorted second-hand clothing. He said these items were intercepted at various locations across the state.
He explained that the interceptions reflected the command’s renewed operational strategy, which is anchored on intelligence gathering, coordinated patrols, and strategic deployment of personnel along identified smuggling corridors.
The customs chief emphasized that the seizures underscore the urgent need to curb economic sabotage, protect legitimate businesses, safeguard national revenue, and ensure compliance with existing laws governing cross-border trade.
Regarding the seized foreign parboiled rice, Ogundeyi noted that its importation violates federal government policy, which prioritizes stimulating local rice production. He said the government’s resolve is to empower farmers, create jobs, and strengthen national food security.
Ogundeyi, at the briefing that had in attendance service commanders in the state including Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Federal Fire Service among others, identified the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures as N478,171,315.00.
He said the ugly development underscored the magnitude of the attempted economic sabotage and the level of vigilance of the officers of the command, which resulted in the interception of the items.
Ogundeyi, who conducted service commanders and journalists round the seized items, listed them as:
“Five (5) units of second-hand vehicles, popularly referred to as Tokunbo vehicles, intercepted at Alapa Patrol Base and Bode Saadu axis.”
“Sixty (60) sacks of second-hand clothing, six (6) jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, and two (2) bales of second-hand clothing, alongside two hundred and twenty-two (222) units of used compressors and fifteen (15) pieces of used tyres, all intercepted at Eiyenkorin area of Kwara State.”
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“Forty-four (44) bags of 50kg imported sugar, intercepted at Bukuro and Bode Saadu axis.”
“Three Hundred and Seventeen (317) jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intercepted at various Patrol Bases, suspected to be intended for illegal cross-border smuggling.
“One thousand, one hundred and seven (1,107) bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, intercepted at various Patrol Bases.
“One hundred and twenty (120) sacks of illegally mined lithium ore, intercepted at Alapa/Banni area of Kwara State.
“Nine (09) vehicles loaded with foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, intercepted during coordinated anti-smuggling operations within the Command’s operational corridors.”