RismadarVoice Reporters, May 10, 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, says it generated over ₦3.89 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2026 and recorded seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of more than ₦204.7 million between March and May 2026.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Najeem Ogundeyi, disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday, May 7, 2026.
Ogundeyi said the Command sustained its revenue drive despite the continued closure of Nigeria’s border with the Republic of Benin since August 2019, noting that earnings were largely generated through excise factories and anti-smuggling operations.
According to him, the Command realised a total revenue of ₦3,895,333,182.94 within the first quarter of the year.
He added that officers intensified anti-smuggling operations across several notorious routes in Kwara State and neighbouring areas, including the Bukuro axis, Gurumi and Sikira axis, Okuta axis, Boriya axis, Tewu and Bero axis, Sango and Okeoyi road, Alapa axis, Malete and Bani axis, Offa and Idofian road, Lagos-Ilorin Expressway, and Eiyenkorin axis.
Ogundeyi explained that the identified corridors remain under close surveillance due to their frequent use by smugglers involved in the illegal movement of prohibited goods.
Items intercepted during the operations included 155 bags of foreign parboiled rice valued at ₦52.4 million, 70 pieces of second-hand tyres worth ₦1.4 million, and 418 jerrycans of vegetable oil with a DPV of ₦27.1 million.
The Command also seized 3,697 packages of macaroni pasta valued at ₦110.9 million, 237 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit totalling 5,925 litres with a DPV of ₦2.37 million, and 18 bales of second-hand clothing valued at ₦5.1 million.
Other intercepted items included 49.5 kilogrammes of cannabis valued at ₦4 million, 376 kilogrammes of tramadol worth ₦564,000, and 19 jerrycans of corrosive oxidiser chemicals valued at ₦792,439.
Ogundeyi disclosed that the Command recorded nine seizures within the period under review with a cumulative Duty Paid Value of ₦204,763,439.
“We will continue to secure our borders and ensure that those involved in illegal activities are brought to justice while legitimate trade thrives,” he stated.
The Customs boss commended officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit and Customs Police Unit for improved intelligence gathering, operational efficiency, and discipline within the Command.
He also praised the collaboration between the Command and other security agencies, describing the partnership as instrumental to the successes recorded.
Ogundeyi attributed the achievements to the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the support of the Service’s management team for providing the necessary operational backing.
