Kwara Customs Rakes In N3.8bn, Hands Over Seized Cannabis To NDLEA (Photos)
The Kwara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it generated N3.8 billion revenue in the first quarter of 2026 through excise duties and intensified anti-smuggling operations across the state.
Acting Area Controller of Customs, Comptroller Najeem Ogundeyi, disclosed this in Ilorin during a programme organised to showcase the command’s achievements, hand over seized narcotics to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and decorate outstanding officers.
Ogundeyi explained that the revenue performance reflected the command’s sustained efforts in curbing smuggling and protecting government revenue from illegal trade activities.
According to him, “Between March and now, the command has successfully recorded nine different seizures with a total duty paid value of N204.76 million.”
He noted that the seizures were made across major smuggling flashpoints within Kwara and neighbouring communities, including Bukuro axis, Gurumi, Okuta, Zango, Oke Oyi and Alapa axis in Ilorin.
The Customs boss stated that the affected routes had remained under close surveillance because of their frequent use by smugglers moving prohibited and uncustomed goods in and out of the country.
Ogundeyi said the interceptions demonstrated the determination of the service to sustain its crackdown on smuggling while ensuring that only legitimate businesses flourish.
Among the items intercepted by the command were 155 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice with a duty paid value of N52.4 million, 70 used tyres, 3,697 packets of macaroni pasta, 418 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 237 jerrycans of petroleum products containing 25 litres each, as well as tramadol and other contraband items.
He added that the cordial working relationship between the command and other security agencies contributed significantly to the successes recorded so far.
“The command remains committed to deploying proactive and intelligence-driven strategies to secure the nation’s borders and safeguard the economy,” Ogundeyi said.
He also appealed to residents of border communities to continue supporting the service with credible and timely information that would help sustain the fight against smuggling.
As part of the event, the command handed over 49.5 kilogrammes of seized cannabis to the NDLEA.
Speaking after receiving the narcotics, the Kwara State Commander of the NDLEA, Fatima Popoola, represented by the Deputy Commander, Operations and Investigation, Kenneth Odili, commended the growing collaboration among security agencies.
She said, “The idea of inter-agency collaboration has assisted greatly, and we will continue to strengthen the initiative to ensure more successes are recorded.”
