Felix Kumuyi
Kwara Customs Doubles Down on Smugglers, As Ogundeyi Showcases Seizures worth N478M, Records Improved N2.5Bn Revenue
DC NA Ogundeyi, CAC, Kwara Area Command, NCS, addressing the Media and invited guests during the briefing
There’s no gainsaying in the fact that, the strides of good leadership can never be hidden, as its vibrant attributes will spring forth the shinning rays.
For the Kwara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), barely can many have an understanding about its existence due to the low ebb in activities of the command since its about seven (7) years of existence in 2019, as past Customs Area Controllers (CACs) grapple with the challenges of low trade activities, while the volatile nature of the axis make it difficult to contend with activities of Smugglers and economic saboteurs.
However, the visionary Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, having understudy the terrain and sure of what he wants to achieve had in his usual leadership characteristics of placing appropriate administrators in their rightful place of performance as witnessed since his advent, posted Deputy Comptroller of Customs NA Ogundeyi, a revered Anti-Smuggling officer of right standing, who had put up decades of enforcement expertise to bear in several Anti-Smuggling formations within the NCS, to head the smuggling notoriety command.
Ogundeyi showcasing some of the seizures
Unarguably, since his deployment in December 2025, the Kwara Command has continued to witness dramatic turnaround in customs operational mandates with spectacular Anti-Smuggling campaign, improved revenue collection and robust facilitation of legitimate trade. Unprecedented searchlight has since his advent been beamed on Smuggling operations, leading to various illicit goods being nipped in the bud, while there have been serious effort at plugging revenue loopholes to pave way for improved collections, as well as other measures being put in place to endeared officers and men to the command with sense of belonging, such as improved welfare, infrastructure, others.
The command is now more than ever being heard for the right reasons in the media space.
It would be recalled that DC Ogundeyi in his maiden press briefing about two months ago showcased humongous seizure of contraband items never before achieved in a long while at the command. The significant enforcement successes was said to have been recorded through robust anti-smuggling operations across the Command’s area of responsibility.
On that occasion also, the Ag CAC made it abundantly clear that smuggling activities would not be tolerated under his watch, and that Kwara Command would no longer serve as a safe haven for illegal trade. He also promised that the Command would remain resolute and uncompromising in enforcing this stance in line with the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
PMS Seizure
While his management had tightened the noose against smuggling and economic saboteurs’ elements still operating at the command, the Ag CAC however had another cause to brief the press recently on yet another set of remarkable Anti-Smuggling and revenue collection feat, against some recalcitrant criminal elements that have continued to engage in acts of economic sabotage.
Deputy Comptroller Ogundeyi during the press briefing held at the command’s headquarters on Wednesday March 11, 2026, in Ilorin disclosed that seizures worth a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Four Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, One Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifteen Naira (N478,171,315.00) were recorded by the command under his watch across its jurisdiction within a period of two months.
Breakdown of the seizures include: Five (5) units of second-hand vehicles, popularly referred to as Tokunbo vehicles, that were 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.
Similarly, a total of 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 Base, suspected to be intended for illegal cross-border smuggling.
Vehicles seizure
The showcased seizure also had a huge number One thousand, one hundred and seven (1,107) bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, intercepted at various Patrol Base; One hundred and twenty (120) sacks of illegally mined lithium ore, intercepted at Alapa/Banni area of Kwara State; as well as Nine (09) vehicles loaded with foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, intercepted during coordinated anti-smuggling operations within the Command’s operational corridors.
DC Ogundeyi however put the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures at Four Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, One Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifteen Naira (M478,171,315.00), noting that it underscored the magnitude of the attempted economic sabotage and the level of vigilance exercised by officers of the Command.
‘These interceptions underscore our unwavering commitment to intelligence-led enforcement operations. They are justified by the urgent need to curb economic sabotage, protect legitimate businesses, safeguard national revenue, and ensure compliance with extant laws governing cross-border trade’, he said.
Describing the criminal elements and smugglers that indulge in the illicit smuggling practices as individuals, driven by illicit profit, the CAC said they have tested the resolve of the Command through persistent attempts to smuggle prohibited and restricted items into the country.
‘However, I wish to state unequivocally that such unlawful activities have consistently been met with firm, decisive, and intelligence-driven enforcement actions by our officers’. DC Ogundeyi said.
‘While the Command remains fully committed to enforcing anti-smuggling laws, we equally place strong emphasis on initiatives that promote legitimate trade, economic development, and national prosperity.
‘One of such policies is the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of foreign parboiled rice, a strategic measure designed to encourage the consumption of locally produced rice, empower local farmers, create employment opportunities, and strengthen national food security.
On rice smuggling that tends to be striving at the axis, the CAC regrettably noted observed with dismay the scale and persistence of illegal importation of foreign rice which continue to pose a significant threat to national objectives and the stability of the domestic agricultural sector.
However in keeping faith with their commitment to transparency and accountability, the Ag CAC during the press briefing showcased another set of significant seizures made by the diligent officers of the Command in the course of their statutory duties, noting that the recorded seizures are a clear demonstration of the command’s renewed operational strategy, which is anchored on intelligence gathering, coordinated patrols, and strategic deployment of personnel across identified smuggling corridors.
Similarly, the command is mot found wanting in its revenue generation drive, as DC Ogundeyi importantly noted that Excise activities remain the only source of revenue collection within the Kwara Area Command, while disclosing a a total revenue of Two Billion, Five Hundred Twenty-Seven Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-One Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety Naira (₦2,527,531,290.00) within the period under review, and a reflection of the command’s sustained commitment to supporting government’s fiscal objectives while ensuring compliance within the excise sector.
He however commended the excellent working relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara Area Command, and other sister security and regulatory agencies, as he noted that the successes so far recorded are the result of strong inter-agency collaboration, coordinated intelligence gathering, and effective information sharing. He further said, the synergy remained critical in addressing the complex and evolving challenges posed by trans-border crimes.
In conclusion, DC Ogundeyi sincerely appreciated the confidence reposed in him by the Controller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Phd and his management team, as he expressed profound gratitude for their unwavering support, guidance, and empowerment, which enabled the command delivered on the Service’s mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling activities and national security.
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