The Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command, has intercepted a pistol, six pistol magazines, a pump-action magazine, detonating cords and police camouflage materials in its latest anti-smuggling operations.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, disclosed this on Thursday, September 17, during a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters at Ikolaba in Ibadan.
Present at the briefing were officers from the Oyo State Commands of the Nigeria Police Force and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), as well as officials of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
Adewole said the Command also seized 573 pieces of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) crests and 92 yards of NPF camouflage uniform fabric, raising concerns over the possible use of such materials by criminals to impersonate security personnel.
According to him, unauthorised possession and movement of security agency uniforms could create serious security threats, particularly amid the country’s prevailing security challenges.
He said criminals could use the materials to gain unauthorised access to restricted locations or facilitate other criminal activities.
The Customs boss also disclosed the interception of one pistol, six pistol magazines, one pump-action magazine, 60 detonating cords and a jack knife, among other prohibited and restricted items seized by the Command.
He said the Command also intercepted 10 containers of Corrosive 8 Mercury, a hazardous chemical capable of causing fire, explosion, injury and property damage when improperly handled, stored or transported.
Adewole said the seizures were part of the Command’s intensified anti-smuggling operations aimed at protecting the nation’s economy and preventing prohibited and restricted goods from entering circulation.
He disclosed that in August alone, the Command seized 2,012 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 550 bags of 25kg foreign parboiled rice, 2,440 wraps of cannabis sativa, 1,150 used tyres, 101 used compressors and 48 packs of 225mg Tramadol.
Other items seized included 105 bales and 28 sacks of used clothing, 18 sacks of used shoes, 450 kegs of PMS, 33 bottles of foreign vegetable oil, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 17 used vehicles and 10 means of conveyance.
The seizures, according to the Acting Controller, had a cumulative Duty Paid Value of ₦4.107 billion.
Adewole further announced that the Command generated ₦65.66 billion between January and August 2026, representing a 13.88 percent increase over the ₦57.66 billion collected during the corresponding period in 2025.
He attributed the revenue performance to improved compliance, effective revenue collection, trade facilitation, stakeholder engagement and the deployment of appropriate strategies.
The Customs chief said the Command would continue to focus on items with implications for national security and public safety while ensuring that legitimate businesses and law-abiding citizens were not unduly impeded.
He also commended officers and men of the Command for their vigilance and professionalism, stressing the importance of intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies.
Adewole assured that the Command would continue to discharge its responsibilities professionally and in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
At the press briefing, the Customs Area Command awarded commendations to eight officers of different ranks for their outstanding performance in their duties.
The intercepted police camouflage materials were handed over to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan, DCP Isiaka Salaudeen, while the containers of chemical substance were given to the NESREA State Coordinator in Oyo State Field Office, Mr Audu Mayowa.
NDLEA’s Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Abdul Maiyaki, also took over the intercepted drugs, with all the security agencies commending the Customs for its efforts in ensuring security and safety through the seizures.