Jelili Gbadamosi
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Kwara Area Command has intercepted a 2025 Toyota Highlander valued at ₦214 million and other prohibited goods with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦604.33 million.
The seizures were recorded along the Ogbomoso/Jebba, Bukuro/Okuta/Chikanda, Bode-Saadu and Lagos/Kwara highway corridors during the command’s enforcement operations.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, September 10, 2026, Acting Customs Area Controller, Kwara Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Ogundeyi, said the operations were targeted at disrupting illicit cross-border trade.
Apart from the Toyota Highlander, Customs also intercepted a 2018 Dodge Charger SXT valued at ₦77.59 million, as well as 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti worth ₦201.15 million.
Other seized items included 270 bags of foreign parboiled rice valued at ₦25.25 million, 80 bales and six sacks of used clothing worth ₦32.3 million, 3,396 packets of Tramadol 100mg valued at ₦50.95 million and 6,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, worth ₦2.75 million.
The command also recovered 14 bags of Basmati rice valued at ₦350,000 during the operations.
Ogundeyi said the seizures were achieved through intelligence gathering, patrols and collaboration with other security agencies, stressing that the command would continue to prevent its operational corridors from being used for smuggling.
He said Customs remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade while enforcing laws against goods transported through unapproved routes or without the required documentation.
The Acting CAC described the seizure of Tramadol as a major public health and security concern, while noting that the interception of PMS would help curb the diversion of petroleum products intended for domestic consumption.
Meanwhile, the command generated ₦7.98 billion in revenue during the period under review.
Ogundeyi commended officers of the Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit and other personnel for their efforts, as well as sister security agencies for their support in the enforcement operations.
