The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted 1,202 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil with a duty paid value estimated at N120.2 million, in a sustained crackdown on illicit trade activities across the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Chado Zakari, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the seizures were made following two intelligence-led operations conducted on March 19 and March 24. The operations form part of intensified efforts by the service to curb smuggling activities and protect Nigeria’s economic interests.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Olukayode Afeni, described the seizures as a major win for the economy, explaining that removing illicit goods from circulation helps to reduce unfair competition and support local manufacturers. He stressed that smuggling undermines legitimate businesses and deprives the government of crucial revenue needed for national development.
Mr Afeni added that the recent operations build on earlier successful interceptions by the command, including 2,539 kegs of vegetable oil seized on March 11 and 2,090 kegs confiscated on December 16, 2025. He said these repeated interceptions highlight the command’s ongoing vigilance and commitment to enforcing customs regulations.
In a related development, the command also handed over 285 sacks of mica stones, each weighing 50 kilograms and valued at N104.78 million, to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. The minerals were intercepted during a routine anti-smuggling operation, further demonstrating the command’s role in safeguarding the country’s natural resources.
Mr Zakari explained that the interception of the mica stones aligns with the Nigeria Customs Service’s mandate to prevent the illegal export of solid minerals, protect national assets, and ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks governing mineral trade.
Mr Afeni warned that illegal mineral trafficking poses serious risks to both economic stability and national security, noting that such activities often fuel unregulated markets and deprive the government of revenue needed for critical infrastructure and development.
He added that the handover of the seized minerals to the appropriate ministry reflects the importance of inter-agency collaboration in enforcing mining laws and environmental standards. According to him, such partnerships are essential in strengthening regulatory oversight and ensuring that Nigeria’s mineral resources are properly managed and protected.
The Ogun I Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying surveillance, disrupting smuggling networks, and enforcing compliance with all trade and customs regulations, while urging stakeholders to adhere strictly to lawful import and export procedures.
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