The Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara Area Command, generated N7.98 billion in revenue during the period under review while intercepting smuggled goods with a combined duty paid value of N604.33 million across various operational corridors.
The Customs Area Controller, Kwara Command, disclosed this during a press briefing, saying the seizures reflected the command’s intelligence led efforts to suppress smuggling, protect federal revenue and safeguard national security.
Among the items intercepted were 270 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 80 bales and six sacks of used clothing, 6,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 3,396 packets of Tramadol 100mg and two vehicles.
The vehicles comprised a 2025 Toyota Highlander valued at N214 million and a 2018 Dodge Charger SXT valued at N77.59 million.
The command also intercepted 14 bags of Basmati rice weighing 5kg each along the Bode Saadu Expressway.
The Customs Area Controller said the seizure of food products should not be interpreted as opposition to food availability in Nigeria, explaining that the Service was enforcing laws governing cross border trade.
He said the illegal movement of foreign food products through porous borders undermined government policies aimed at increasing local agricultural production, protecting domestic investments and strengthening the local value chain.
According to him, the command’s enforcement activities are also intended to protect compliant traders from being disadvantaged by operators who bypass established procedures.
The Tramadol seizure, valued at N50.95 million, was intercepted along the Okuta axis, while the 6,875 litres of PMS, valued at N2.75 million, were intercepted along the Bukuro, Okuta and Chikanda axis.
The controller said the interception of the pharmaceutical product highlighted the public health and security risks associated with the unregulated movement of controlled substances across the borders.
He added that the interception of PMS was aimed at preventing the diversion of strategic national supplies meant for domestic consumption into illicit border markets.
The command said the seizures were made along the Ogbomoso Jebba axis, Okuta axis, Bode Saadu Expressway, Bode Saadu axis and Lagos Kwara highway at Eyankorin, as well as other locations.
The Customs Area Controller attributed the interceptions to intelligence led operations, patrols and collaboration with sister security agencies.
He commended the command’s Intelligence Unit and Customs Police Unit, as well as other officers involved in operations across its areas of responsibility.
He also called on border communities, traditional leaders and commercial transporters to provide credible information to security agencies, describing border security as a shared responsibility.
The controller reaffirmed the command’s support for legitimate trade but warned that smuggling would continue to face enforcement action.