Ogun Customs Intercepts Rolls Royce, Luxury Cars, Rice and Cannabis Worth ₦1.4bn

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded another major breakthrough in its anti-smuggling operations, intercepting a 2021 Rolls Royce Ghost, a 2018 Honda Accord, and a 2014 Mercedes Benz, alongside a wide range of contraband items smuggled into the state.

The seizures, announced on Thursday at the Command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Abeokuta, also included 4,424 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 50 sacks and 1,936 parcels of cannabis sativa, 105 used tyres, 21 bales and three sacks of second-hand clothes, and 6,400 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol. According to Customs, the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the intercepted items stands at ₦1,401,531,923.95.

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Customs Reveals Details of the Seizures

Addressing journalists at the press conference, the Area Controller, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, highlighted the significance of the operation.

His words:
“Through intelligence-driven operations, resilience, and the unwavering commitment of our gallant officers, we successfully made the following seizures: Foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, 4,424 bags, which is over seven truckloads. Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as marijuana—50 sacks and 1,936 parcels of coconut size. Used Pneumatic Tyres—105 pieces, used clothing—21 bales and three sacks. Foreign-used vehicles, commonly known as Tokunbo—three units, including a Rolls Royce worth billions of naira. Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)—6,400 litres.”

He further stressed that the seizures represented a major economic loss for smugglers but a huge gain for the national economy and security.

Luxury Vehicles Among Contraband

Perhaps the most eye-catching seizures were the luxury vehicles, especially the 2021 Rolls Royce Ghost, a car worth hundreds of millions of naira in the international market. The inclusion of such high-value items underscores the increasing sophistication of smuggling syndicates who exploit Nigeria’s porous borders to move both luxury goods and contraband into the country without paying duties.

The presence of other vehicles, including a Honda Accord 2018 model and a Mercedes Benz 2014 model, further revealed that smugglers are diversifying their operations beyond traditional items like rice and fuel, now venturing into the high-end automobile trade.

Previous Seizures Point to Growing Smuggling Trends

The feat comes barely six weeks after the command intercepted 2,693 parcels of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) concealed inside a false compartment fabricated at the bottom of a Mercedes Benz truck. That earlier bust demonstrated the growing trend of smugglers resorting to creative concealment methods to evade detection.

Comptroller Otunla said the latest success reflected the command’s improved intelligence-driven operations, the commitment of its officers, and enhanced collaboration with other security agencies.

Cannabis Handed Over to NDLEA

As part of inter-agency cooperation, the large cannabis haul was formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Speaking during the handover, Comptroller Otunla reiterated that the Customs Service’s partnership with NDLEA was in line with government directives and reinforced a collective determination to safeguard public health, protect national security, and save Nigerian youths from the devastating effects of drug abuse.

In his response, the Commander of the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command, Williams Ekundayo, commended the Customs Service for its diligence and noted that this was the third cannabis seizure within two months in Ogun.

Ekundayo described the seizure as both a testament to the vigilance of the NCS and a warning to drug traffickers that security agencies were closing in on them. He further emphasized the NDLEA’s determination to rid the country of narcotics, pointing out that protecting Nigerian youths from drugs was central to national stability.

Smuggling: A Persistent Challenge

The seizures highlight the enduring challenge of smuggling in Nigeria, particularly in border states like Ogun. With its proximity to the Benin Republic and its vast network of bush paths, the state has long been a hotspot for smugglers trafficking rice, vehicles, fuel, and drugs.

Experts note that smuggling not only deprives the government of much-needed revenue but also fuels insecurity, weakens local industries, and exposes young people to harmful substances. In recent years, Customs has intensified its operations along the Idiroko axis, deploying intelligence, surveillance technology, and joint task forces to intercept illicit goods.

Customs’ Warning to Smugglers

Comptroller Otunla used the press briefing to warn smugglers that the NCS would not relent in its operations, insisting that every seizure was a clear demonstration of the Service’s resolve to enforce Nigeria’s trade laws.

He noted that while smugglers continue to devise new tricks, Customs officers remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding the nation’s borders.

The Ogun I Area Command’s latest seizure of goods worth over ₦1.4 billion, including a Rolls Royce Ghost and thousands of bags of rice, is a stark reminder of the scale of smuggling activities undermining Nigeria’s economy.

Beyond the financial value, the interception of large quantities of cannabis and fuel also has major implications for public health and national security. The collaboration between Customs and NDLEA underscores the importance of multi-agency synergy in tackling smuggling and drug trafficking.

As authorities continue to tighten security at border points, the seizures serve as both a victory for law enforcement and a warning to criminal networks that Nigeria’s security agencies remain resolute in their mission to protect the nation’s economy, youth, and sovereignty.