Ogun 1 Customs Intercept 19th-Century Artefacts, Seize Contraband Worth ₦1.35bn in Idiroko‎

‎The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko Area Command, has intercepted two rare 19th-century artefacts and a cache of prohibited items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1.35 billion.

‎

‎The Acting Area Controlle of the command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the command headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun.

‎

Giving account of the seizures, Afeni said the interception was part of intensified anti-smuggling operations along the Nigeria–Benin Republic border. He explained that the recovered artefacts are of significant historical and cultural importance to Nigeria.

‎

‎According to him, the artefacts were subjected to expert evaluation before being handed over to the National Museum in Abeokuta for preservation.

‎
‎He however noted that efforts are ongoing to recover more Nigerian artefacts taken out of the country in the past, stressing that such recoveries restore national pride.

‎

‎The acting Controller reiterated that the development underscores the command’s commitment to curbing illicit trafficking and protecting Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

‎

‎Afeni further added that the operations also yielded improvement in revenue performance for the command, stating that the command generated the sum of ₦285,652,460 during the period, exceeding the ₦259,265,495 recorded within the same period in 2025.

‎

The Command boss attributed the increase to enhanced baggage assessment, auctioning of seized petroleum products, and strict enforcement of fiscal policies.

‎

‎He said investigations revealed that smuggled vegetable oil was being brought into the country in small quantities through creeks, thereby undermining local producers.

‎“By removing these illicit goods, we are promoting fair trade, protecting local industries, and safeguarding public health,” he said.

‎

Afeni listed the seized items to include 545 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totalling 13,625 litres, 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 2,539 kegs of vegetable oil, 4,325 cartons of spaghetti, and 2,547 parcels of cannabis sativa.

‎

‎Other items seized, he said, include second-hand clothing and footwear, sugar, used tyres, pharmaceutical products, perfume oil, two used vehicles, and four live pangolins.

‎

‎He added that the cannabis consignments had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while the rescued pangolins were transferred to a wildlife conservation organisation for proper care.

‎

Comments

NCS Medical Team Trains Apapa Area Command Officers On First Aid

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) medical team yesterday trained officers and men of the Apapa Area Command on basic first aid training. ‎ ‎The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba according to a press release issued by the public relations officer of the command, Superintendent of Customs SC JT Ayagbalo described the initiative as a crucial investment in workplace safety and operational readiness. ‎ ‎In his welcome address, Comptroller Oshoba emphasized that the programme reflects the priority placed on staff welfare by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. ‎ ‎He described first aid knowledge as a universal life skill that every adult should possess, especially officers as they are frequently exposed to high-risk operational environments. ‎ ‎ Oshoba noted that simple but timely interventions such as; CPR, bleeding control, choking relief and stroke recognition often determine whether a victim survives, fully recov...

NIMASA Reshuffles Management Team For Enhanced Efficiency And Inter-departmental Collaboration

I n an exercise aimed at strengthening inter-departmental collaboration and inject new energy into the system to further improve performance and enhance efficiency across the maritime sector, The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced a strategic redeployment of its management staff as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery in line with its core mandate. Under the new structure, according to a press statement issued by Mr. Edward Osagie FNIPR, Head, Public Relations Officer of the agency, a total of 56 management staff were affected in the exercise. Notable amongst those redeployed are; Hajia Moji Jimoh who becomes Director, Administration and Human Resources; Aishatu Jidda, Director, Planning, Research and Data Management Services; Barr. Heaky Dimowo, Director, Legal Services/Board Secretary; Isichei Osamgbi, Director, SERVICOM; and Mrs. Olubusola Obasanjo-Akande, Director, Western Zone. Othe...

Lekki Port Manager Thrilled As AMJON Awards Him Most Resourceful Port Manager ‎

‎"I want to thank the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority and his management team for giving me the opportunity to serve. Working in the kind of environment where I found myself requires great teamwork and as you can see around me now, I have my very efficient team always with me and so I am very proud to have this team. I also give glory to God for everything including the recognition that I got today" ‎ ‎Above are some of the emotions that pervaded the atmosphere as the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) held its 2026 Conference and Awards with the theme: Attaining Ports Efficiency In The Face Of Emerging Technology". ‎ ‎The Conference and Awards took place on Thursday, April 30th 2026 at the Rockview hotels, Apapa with big industry players in attendance. The occasion which was chaired by the cerebral Barr. Jean Chiazor-Anishere delved succinctly into what are required to make the Nigerian Ports more efficient. ‎ ‎In her opening ...

Maritimegistplus

Search This Blog