The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a cache of security-related and prohibited items, including 573 Nigeria Police Force crests, 92 yards of police camouflage uniform fabric, a pistol, six pistol magazines, a pump-action magazine and 60 detonating cords, during anti-smuggling operations within its jurisdiction.
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Acting Customs Area Controller of the command, Deputy Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, disclosed the seizures at a press conference at the command headquarters in Ibadan, expressing particular concern over the interception of police insignia and camouflage materials because of their potential implications for national security.
Adewole warned that unauthorised possession and movement of security agency uniforms and insignia could enable criminals to impersonate law-enforcement personnel, gain access to restricted locations or facilitate other criminal activities.
“Of particular concern was the interception of Police crest and camouflage uniforms. The unauthorised possession and movement of security agency uniforms can create serious security concerns, particularly in view of the prevailing security challenges in the country,” he said.
According to him, the seizure underscored the importance of preventing security-related materials from falling into unauthorised hands, adding that the command would continue to pay close attention to items with implications for national security and public safety.
Apart from the police-related materials, Adewole said operatives also intercepted a pistol, six pistol magazines, a pump-action magazine and 60 detonating cords during the period under review.
The command also seized 2,012 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 550 bags of 25kg foreign parboiled rice, 2,440 wraps of cannabis sativa, 1,150 used tyres, 101 used compressors and 48 packs of 225mg tramadol.
Other intercepted items included 105 bales and 28 sacks of used clothing, 18 sacks of used shoes, 450 25-litre kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, 33 three-litre bottles of foreign vegetable oil and 30 bags of foreign sugar weighing 60kg each.
Customs also recorded the seizure of 17 used vehicles, popularly known as tokunbo vehicles, 10 means of conveyance and 10 containers of what the command described as corrosive mercury.
Adewole put the cumulative Duty Paid Value of the seizures at ₦4,106,951,689.
He said the interceptions formed part of the command’s statutory responsibility to protect Nigeria’s economy and prevent the movement of prohibited and restricted goods.
“In line with our statutory responsibility to protect the nation’s economy and prevent the smuggling of prohibited and restricted goods, the Command has continued to intensify its anti-smuggling operations across its areas of jurisdiction,” he said.
The acting controller also highlighted the interception of the substance described as corrosive mercury, warning that hazardous materials could pose serious risks when improperly transported, stored or handled.
“The uncontrolled movement of such materials can expose members of the public to risks of fire, explosion, injury, property damage, and, in extreme circumstances, loss of lives,” Adewole said.
He said the interception prevented potentially hazardous materials from entering circulation and being handled by unauthorised persons.
Adewole attributed the seizures to intelligence-driven operations, the vigilance of officers and men of the command, and cooperation with sister security agencies and other stakeholders.
He assured legitimate businesses that Customs would continue its enforcement operations without unnecessarily obstructing lawful trade.
Beyond the seizures, Adewole disclosed that the Oyo/Osun Area Command generated ₦65,661,343,026.94 between January and August 2026, compared with ₦57,656,161,990.24 collected during the corresponding period of the previous year.
According to him, the figure represented a 13.88 per cent increase in revenue.
He attributed the improved revenue performance to sustained revenue collection efforts, trade facilitation, stakeholder engagement and strategies aimed at improving compliance.
“The Oyo/Osun Area Command remains committed to improving revenue generation, facilitating legitimate trade and sustaining the fight against smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage,” he said.
Adewole maintained that the command would continue to strike a balance between enforcement and trade facilitation while paying particular attention to goods capable of threatening national security or public safety.
“We will continue to pay particular attention to items that have implications for national security and public safety, while ensuring that legitimate businesses and law-abiding members of the public are not unduly impeded,” he added.
He also pledged that the command would continue to discharge its responsibilities in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, while commending journalists for their partnership and urging continued responsible reporting of Customs activities.
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