The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has intercepted smuggled goods with a combined value of N604.3 million, including Tramadol, foreign rice, petrol, spaghetti, used clothing and two luxury vehicles.
The Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing in Ilorin.
According to Ogundeyi, the seizures were made along various operational routes across Kwara State through intelligence-driven operations, routine patrols and collaboration with other security agencies.
Items intercepted included 3,396 packets of 100mg Tramadol valued at N50.95 million, 270 bags of foreign parboiled rice worth N25.25 million, 6,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N2.75 million and 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti estimated at N201.15 million.
The command also seized 80 bales and six sacks of used clothing valued at N32.3 million, 14 bags of Basmati rice worth N350,000, a 2025 Toyota Highlander valued at N214 million and a 2018 Dodge Charger SXT worth N77.59 million.
Ogundeyi said the interception of foreign food products was not intended to restrict food supplies, but was part of the Customs Service’s responsibility to enforce regulations governing cross-border trade.
He explained that the illegal entry of foreign food products through Nigeria’s porous borders could undermine government efforts to promote local agriculture, protect domestic investments and strengthen the country’s value chain.
On the Tramadol seizure, the Acting Controller said the interception underscored the importance of securing Nigeria’s borders, warning that the uncontrolled movement of regulated drugs could pose serious threats to public health and national security.
He also said the seizure of PMS was aimed at stopping the diversion of petrol meant for domestic consumption to illegal markets across the borders.
Ogundeyi warned smugglers that the Kwara Area Command would continue to intensify its operations and would not allow the state to become a safe haven for illegal cross-border activities.
