Easter Crackdown: Customs Intercepts N120.2m Smuggled Vegetable Oil In Ogun

Ahead of Easter celebrations, the Ogun I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko, has intercepted 1,202 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil valued at N120.2 million in two intelligence-led operations conducted on March 19 and 24, 2026.

The seizures, carried out under the leadership of Deputy Comptroller O.O. Afeni, are part of the Command’s sustained efforts to curb smuggling activities and protect local vegetable oil producers from unfair competition.

Customs authorities described the interceptions as a significant boost to the Nigerian economy, noting that removing illicit goods from circulation helps safeguard domestic industries, promote local manufacturing, and support job creation.

The latest operation follows earlier seizures by the Command, including 2,539 kegs of vegetable oil (25kg each) on March 11, 2026, and 2,090 kegs (25kg each) on December 16, 2025.

In a related development, the Command handed over 285 sacks of mica stones weighing 50kg each, valued at N104.775 million, to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

The handover ceremony took place at the Command Headquarters in Abeokuta after officers intercepted the minerals during a routine anti-smuggling operation.

The seizure highlights the Command’s expanded mandate to prevent the illegal export of solid minerals, a practice that undermines regulatory frameworks and deprives the Federal Government of vital revenue.

Speaking during the handover, the Acting CAC, Afeni, represented by assistant comptroller E.K. Onyeasor, warned that illegal trade in solid minerals poses serious threats to national security and economic stability.

He reiterated the Command’s commitment to blocking illicit activities, stating that the operation reflects a “whole-of-government” approach to enforcement and inter-agency collaboration.

Receiving the seized items, a representative of the Ministry, Ojediran Abimbola Olubumi, commended the Command for its vigilance and professionalism.

She noted that the intercepted mica would undergo further geological analysis and be incorporated into the national mineral database as part of ongoing reforms in the mining sector.

Meanwhile, the Command reported significant progress in trade facilitation for March 2026, recording a sharp increase in export performance.

Export figures show that 277.8 metric tonnes of goods were processed in March 2026 with a Free On Board (FOB) value of $383,100, compared to 20 metric tonnes valued at $104,600 in March 2025,representing a 266 per cent increase in value.

The Command attributed the growth to improved processing efficiency and enhanced monitoring of the Idiroko border axis and adjoining creeks, ensuring tighter control against smuggling and illegal exportation of protected resources.

Deputy superintendent of Customs, Chado Zakari, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining surveillance operations and strengthening border security to protect Nigeria’s economic interests.