In a decisive statement ahead of the new year, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has declared an intensified campaign against smuggling networks operating through Ogun State’s porous borders. The Ogun 1 Area Command, headquartered in Idiroko, vows to build upon previous enforcement actions to cripple the flow of illicit goods that threaten national security and economic stability.
By Ige Adekunle
Sango-Ota (Ogun), Jan. 7, 2026 (NAN)
Area Comptroller Mr. Oladapo Afeni, in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), outlined the command’s strategic focus for 2026. He emphasized that the fight against smuggling is not merely a law enforcement activity but a critical pillar for safeguarding public health, protecting local industries, and securing national revenue.
“Our resolve is unwavering,” stated Comptroller Afeni. “The Ogun 1 Area Command will remain on high alert, leveraging enhanced intelligence and technology to confront and neutralize any threat to Nigeria’s economic and security interests in the coming year. We are not just intercepting goods; we are dismantling networks.”
The comptroller’s warning comes amid persistent challenges along the Nigeria-Benin Republic border, where Ogun State serves as a major conduit for smuggled items. These typically include prohibited textiles, expired pharmaceuticals, illicit arms, adulterated food products, and frozen poultry, which undermine local agriculture and pose severe health risks.
Afeni highlighted the multifaceted impact of smuggling, explaining that it deprives the government of vital tariff revenue needed for public services, floods the market with substandard and dangerous goods, and creates an unfair competitive environment that stifles legitimate businesses and job creation.
A critical component of the 2026 strategy is strengthened community engagement. Comptroller Afeni made a direct appeal to the public, urging citizens to act as partners in security. “We implore patriotic Nigerians, especially those in border communities, to provide timely and useful information. Your eyes and ears on the ground are invaluable. Together, we can secure our borders and our future,” he said.
The comptroller issued a stern final warning to individuals involved in smuggling activities: “To those engaged in this illicit trade, 2026 is the year to cease and desist. Turn away from this path and seek legitimate livelihood. The consequences of continued smuggling will be severe, as we are committed to applying the full force of the law.”
He concluded by reaffirming the command’s foundational principles, assuring that all operations would be conducted “with integrity, courage, and professionalism, strictly guided by our mandate and an unwavering commitment to national development.”
The success of this renewed initiative will likely depend on inter-agency collaboration, the deployment of non-intrusive inspection technology at checkpoints, and sustained political will to address the root socio-economic drivers of smuggling in border regions.
Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Bayo Sekoni
Source: NAN News
