Afeni Showcases Sparkling Leadership Capacity at Ogun Area 1 Customs, amidst Hostile Grounds
By Felix Kumuyi
Deputy Comptroller OO Afeni, Ag CAC, Ogun 1 Area Command, NCS
With a new Customs Sherriff at its Helm, the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has continued to pose stumbling blocks to activities of smuggling and antics of contraband imports from recent enforcement offensive developments that led to massive seizures, not leaving out bloody clashes that ensued in the course of duty.
With the arrival of Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, a no-nonsense officer of customs and one of the modern vibrant set of new officers’ block that have expectedly started to fill some key positions of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), as the Acting Area Controller, the Ogun 1 Area Command had since his assumption of office six weeks ago ride strong in its mandates of revenue collection, anti-smuggling and facilitation of legitimate trade despite recent hostilities in the smuggling battle field.
Undeterred by the antics of recalcitrant smugglers in some of its fight back antics to deter field operatives, the command have instead been charged up, drawn a red line, and recently step up its cross border anti-smuggling operations by constantly combing nooks and crannies to break the several chains of their illicit operations.
It would be recalled that recently officers on operations were attacked on two separate accounts in two weeks. One of the attacks occurred at Akokoro area of Iwoye, Imeko Afon Local Government Area where two officers sustained life threatening injuries but receiving medical attention, while another happened one week later on Saturday January 31 at Alapoti in Ado Odo Ota LGA, immediately after officers on patrol intercepted motorcycles conveying 46 bags of foreign parboiled rice, seized and evacuated them in their patrol van.
The assailants however mobilized and attacked the officers with all manner of weapons, while the officers maintained their comportment and acted professionally, avoiding casualties, escalation.
Presently, the Afeni led command has declared a zero tolerance to smuggling, and operatives are abreast of task ahead of them, especially blocking the command against arms and ammunition, as well as hard drugs cross border imports from neighboring Benin Republic.
It is on record that, the huge measure of seizure of these offensive substances, Narcotics, Cannabis Sativa and Arms and Ammunition under Afeni’s leadership watch is unprecedented, worrisome and hence the need to tightened the noose against smuggling of these nefarious items
On January 29, 2026, the new Idiroko Customs Sheriff gave a detailed press statement on the command’s scorecard in 2025 and progress made so far since he assumed office at the Smuggling notoriety command.
The CAC who was full of appreciation to stakeholders during the briefing for their support so far, first and foremost highlighted the remarkable achievements recorded by Ogun I Area Command in the year 2025, which he said underscored the command’s unwavering commitment to the Nigeria Customs Service’s core mandates of revenue generation, anti-smuggling, and trade facilitation.
On Revenue Collection, DC Afeni disclosed a sum total of N454, 672, 406.30 generated and remitted to the federation and non-federation accounts of the Federal Government respectively in the fiscal year 2025 by the Ogun I Area Command.
He said the collection clearly showed that the revenue profile of the command significantly increased by about 47% when compared with the collection of N275, 835,602.00 in year 2024. ‘We are determined to do more and surpass what was collected last year 2025’, he said.
On the progress made so far this year 2026, DC Afeni said that the command under his watch recorded remarkable measure of success, as they have started 2026 on a right foot.
Giving evidence on what they have generated from 1st January to 28 January, 2026, Afeni revealed a total sum of N106, 277,312.00 was collected and remitted to federation account which is surpassed the sum of N89, 584, 419.00 that was generated same month last year 2925 and which represented 84.3% increment.
He however noted that feat were recorded through the diligent efforts of officers and the cooperation of compliant traders of the command.
He further revealed that the revenue were actualized through the collection from baggage assessment, proceeds from auction sales of seized Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS
In its Anti-Smuggling Operations, which is one of the core mandate of the Ogun 1 Area Command, the CAC noted that the command also had a bright enforcement start, with a total seizure of 487 recorded.
Afeni noted that the command has further strengthened its anti-smuggling operations against economic saboteurs through credible intelligence and continuous partnering with other relevant agencies for effective policing of our vast land borders, which is in line with the provision of extant laws; trade guidelines and enforcement of government fiscal policy measures,
The CAC said the 487 seizures were recorded through intelligence-driven operations and the dedication of the operatives of the command.
He gave the breakdown of the seizure to include: 22,725 Bags Foreign Parboiled Rice, 50kg each – equivalent to 37 trailer load; 2,669 kegs (66,725 liters) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 2,128 Red Star Cartridges; 13,332 Parcels Cannabis Sativa; and 25 Bales of Used Clothing Foreign Used.
Others are 11 units of Vehicles and Tractor; 2,034 Pieces of Used pneumatic tyres; 12 Cartons of Gino Tomatoes; 18 bags of Sugar 50kg; One carton each of Inhalator and insecticide; 4,228 cartons of Doga brand spaghetti 10kg; 2,097 kegs 25 liters of Vegetable oil; Riodin explosives -1,315 pieces; Dane Guns- 11 units; Revolver pistol- 2 units; Locally made guns- 2 units; Crystal Meth 27 Wraps weighing 28.90kg; Heroin 16 pieces weighing 16kg; as well as Used Boxer and Motorcycle 6 Units (as means of conveyance).
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the above seized items for the year 2025 is N4,
130,931,100, against the DPV for the corresponding year 2024 which was put at N1,791,007,246, representing an increment of N 2,339,923,854.
DC Afeni however attributed the feat as a testament to the commitment of officers in combating smuggling activities, protecting the economy, and safeguarding the well-being of our society. He noted that focus for the New Year shall remained on consolidating the gains of 2025.
2026 ANTI-SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES
The Ogun 1 Area Command under the watchful eyes of DC Afeni has continued to consolidate on achievement gains of 2025, as the command, from first of January up to Thursday, 29 January, 2026, recorded significant seizures which include: 1,042 bags of smuggled rice weighing 50kg each; 3,738 parcels of cannabis sativa; 780 Used tyres; two (2) Units of locally made Riffles and 198 pieces of Cartridges. Others are 473 kegs PMS (11,825 liters); six (6) Used vehicles and one means of conveyance; four (4) sacks 25kg of Caffeine Ahydrous; 72 packs soduku plant extraction Toothpaste – 120g; 84 Soduku Vitamin D 108g each; two (2) pieces of traditional carvings to be sent for expert appraisal to determine the next course of action.
The CAC explained that traditional carving seizure incident underscores the ongoing threat to our cultural heritage, noting that, Ogun I command under his watch will act decisively to nip antiquity theft in the bud to protect our national legacy.
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all seizure stated for the period of January 2026 only is put at N 721,453,612.
Another highpoint seizure of the command during this period under review is the One Thousand three Hundred and fifteen (1,315) explosives and Two Thousand One Hundred and Twenty Eight (2,128) round of lives ammunition
While noting that Arms and Ammunition is classified under schedule 4 of ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION LIST of the Common External Tariff of Nigeria Customs Service, the CAC tagged the seizure as monumental and very commendable against the backdrop of the heightened insecurity in the land, as he rued the consequences and devastating effect should this magnitude escaped into the country and fall into wrong hands.
INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION
Feeling strong in confidence for a strengthened collaboration and synergy in the Year 2026, DC Afeni said the command enjoyed a robust industrial harmony with all government agencies in Idiroko-Igolo border, especially their host communities, traditional institutions and other sister agencies (the DSS, NIS, NDLEA, NSCDC, NIGERIA MILITARY, NAFDAC, SON, NIGERIA POLICE, PORT HEALTH AND QUARANTINE) as well as compliant traders whose tremendous contribution has been a great success in the immediate past year 2025.
While using the opportunity of the event to hand over the intercepted parcels of cannabis sativa to the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration, the Acting CAC lamented that the rising frequency of Cannabis Sativa seizure are a major point of concern for the command, with a persistent supply chain driven by local demand. ‘We are utilizing all available resources to track these traffickers and disrupt their supply chain’ he said.
The seized Cannabis sativa handed over to NDLEA officials include: Coconut Size – 3,454 Parcels and Bread Size – 169 Parcels.
He explained that 56 seizures were recorded in 2025, while 10 seizures of narcotics in different sizes have already been intercepted in about twenty nine days into this year 2026.
In a similar manner, the seized Arms and Ammunition which include Red star cartridges- 2,128; Riodin explosives- 1,315 pieces; Dane Guns- 11 units; Revolver pistol- 2 units; as well as locally made guns- 2 units, were handed over to National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) South West Zone.
Also, 72 packs soduku plant extraction Toothpaste-120g; 84 Soduku Vitamin D 108g drugs each were as well handed over to the NAFDAC.
DC Afeni however said this handover is in line with the service commitment to strengthening partnerships with other security agencies to combat drug trafficking, proliferation of small arms and light weapons and ensure a safer society.
While noting that the Smuggling as an activity is a crime and those who indulge in it as criminals, Afeni to this expressed displeasure over the spate at which smugglers and their sympathizers often attack Ogun 1 Area Command officers at will from carrying out their constitutional duties. ‘Our officers were recently attacked, shot at with life bullets around Akokoro area of Iwoye, Imeko axis of the command; our official vehicles were also not spared’, he lamented.
To this, the CAC sternly warned that attacking officers of the command will not deter the operatives from performing its legitimate duties, as he warned the disgruntle elements to desist and stop confronting or obstructing officers from carrying out their legitimate duties as that will no longer be tolerated.
‘No amount of intimidation, force or threat will deter us from doing what we are employed to do. We will continue to confront the challenges that militate against our successes and build on the achievements made so far in the course of carrying out our mandate’, the CAC stated.
DC Afeni however used the opportunity to call on traditional rulers and community leaders to educate the youths against the dangers of smuggling,
Particularly the smuggling of Narcotics, Arms and Ammunition.
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