The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Area Command, has intercepted smuggled goods valued at N83.12 million during a series of anti-smuggling operations along waterways within its area of responsibility.
The seized items include 14,100 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 204 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 40 cartons of assorted cosmetic products.
The Acting Area Controller of the command, Thomas Jonah, disclosed this while displaying the recovered items to journalists, explaining that the seizures were made during intelligence-led operations and routine patrols conducted between November 5 and 7, 2026.
According to Jonah, 40 cartons of cosmetics were recovered on November 5 during a joint patrol involving teams from Yekeme, Badagry and the Command Information Patrol.
On November 6, officers intercepted 50 kegs containing 2,500 litres of diesel along the Akere waterways during a routine patrol.
He further disclosed that on November 7, an intelligence-driven operation along the Takwabay waterways led to the seizure of 232 kegs containing 11,600 litres of diesel.
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During the operation, officers also recovered a fibre boat fitted with a 40-horsepower outboard engine, suspected to have been used for smuggling activities.
In a separate operation, the command intercepted 204 bags of foreign parboiled rice with a Duty Paid Value of N19.6 million.
Jonah explained that the suspected smugglers abandoned the goods and fled upon sighting the approaching officers, escaping arrest.
He added that the seized diesel had been safely warehoused because of its highly combustible nature and would be auctioned in accordance with existing laws, while other recovered items were undergoing necessary Customs procedures.
The Acting Controller commended the officers for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the command’s commitment to strengthening intelligence gathering, waterway surveillance and collaboration with other security agencies.
He also urged residents and communities along the waterways to provide useful information to help combat smuggling, warning that the command would not provide hiding places for smugglers and economic saboteurs.
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