By Danjuma Amodu | March 13, 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made significant seizures of smuggled goods worth over ₦1.4 billion in two separate operations. In Kwara, the NCS intercepted 1,907 items, including 222 compressors used for manufacturing explosives, 1,107 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 14 vehicles, and 317 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Speaking during a guided tour of the seized goods, Acting Area Controller DC Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi highlighted the severe security implications of the compressors.
“Do you know what these compressors are used for? All the security personnel here know their purpose. They are used for the production of explosives, and that is why we intercepted them,” he said.
In Kano-Jigawa, the NCS intercepted smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over ₦1.01 billion, including undeclared foreign currency, smuggled used pneumatic tyres, and fake drugs. The seized items also included silver metal bars, vegetable oil, and a truck with a forged temporary vehicle importation permit.
The Acting Area Comptroller of the Kano-Jigawa command, Usman Umar Adamu, disclosed that the seizures were recorded between January 1 and March 10, 2026, through intelligence-driven operations and coordinated patrols. The customs also intercepted 503 cartons of Pregabalin capsules, amounting to over 15 million tablets, suspected to be unregistered pharmaceutical products.
The NCS is working with sister agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Fire Service, and the NDLEA, to tackle complex cross-border crimes. The government has banned imported parboiled rice to boost local production, ensure food security, and create employment opportunities.
The seized items will be handed over to relevant authorities, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), for further investigation and prosecution.
The NCS has warned individuals involved in smuggling and other illegal trade activities to desist, noting that the command would continue to strengthen surveillance and enforcement operations across the region. The seized goods are worth a total DPV of ₦1,497,142,043 (₦478,171,315 + ₦1,018,971,728.02).
