The Kwara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized smuggled goods worth N604.3 million, including Tramadol, foreign rice, Premium Motor Spirit, foreign spaghetti, used clothing and two luxury vehicles.
The acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, announced the seizures during a press briefing in Ilorin on Thursday.
Ogundeyi said the items were intercepted along different operational routes in Kwara State through intelligence-led operations, regular patrols and collaboration with other security agencies.
“Among the seized items were 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 PMS valued at N2.75 million, and 6,705 cartons of foreign spaghetti worth N201.15 million,” he said.
“The command also intercepted 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,” he added.
Ogundeyi explained that the seizure of foreign food items should not be seen as an attempt to stop food supplies but as part of Customs’ duty to enforce laws governing cross-border trade.
“Illegal influx of foreign food products through porous borders undermines Federal Government policies aimed at boosting local agricultural production, protecting domestic investments and safeguarding our local value chain,” he said.
Speaking on the Tramadol seizure, the Acting Controller said the interception demonstrated the importance of securing Nigeria’s borders, warning that the uncontrolled entry of regulated drugs poses serious risks to public health and national security.
He added that the seizure of petrol was aimed at preventing the diversion of fuel meant for local use to illegal border markets.
Ogundeyi warned that the command would not allow the state to become a safe haven for smugglers.
