Oyo/Osun Customs Intercepts Firearms, Narcotics, Fake Recruiter; Generates N27.5Bn in 3 Months

The Oyo/Osun Command of Nigeria Customs Service has recorded major successes in its enforcement and revenue drive, seizing firearms, narcotics, contraband goods, and arresting a fraudulent recruiter.

Three pump-action rifles were intercepted with three suspects arrested in connection with the dangerous seizure.

Disclosing this during a press briefing on Thursday at the Command’s headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State’s capital, Acting Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, disclosed that the arrested suspects are currently undergoing investigation. He said the command is working closely with the Customs Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit, and the Legal Unit to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attempted smuggling of the firearms and to ensure that all persons connected with the unlawful act are brought to justice.

The command also paraded a suspect allegedly defrauding unsuspecting members of the public by falsely claiming to facilitate recruitment into the Nigeria Customs Service in exchange for gratification.

According the Controller, the suspect was arrested through effective intelligence gathering and collaboration with the Amotekun Corps in Ibadan. He noted that investigation is ongoing, even as he reiterated that recruitment into the Nigeria Customs Service is transparent, merit-based, and conducted strictly through officially approved channels. Adewole advised members of the public to be vigilant and disregard individuals who claim to offer employment opportunities in exchange for money.

The command also impounded 1,769 wraps of Cannabis Sativa with duty paid value of N167,660,513, 250mg Tramadol in 3,437 packs and 2,158 sachets with duty paid value totalling N1,170,738,049.

Other dangerous drugs intercepted by the Command include two sachets of ice (N139,973), five wraps of Colorado (N466,575), three wraps of Canadian Loud (N1,399,732), 20 sachets of Rohypnol 1mg (N1,633,013), four pieces of Analgin Injection (N5,597,500), four pieces of Hiegra 300mg (N4,030,200), four pieces of Hiegra 200mg (N89,560), and four pieces of Mygra 200mg (N268,680).

Aside the offensive drugs, the command also intercepted 1,537 bags (50kg) of foreign parboiled rice which duty paid value stands at N286,850,310; 102 bales, 13 sacks of used clothing valued at N217,520,888; 56 sacks of used shoes valued at N368,161,737; 1,105 pieces of used tyres with duty paid value of N204,486,399, and 462 pieces of used compressor valued at N64,667,295.

Other seizures made by the command are 106 bags of sugar valued at N64,550,810; 48 cartons of foreign spaghetti valued at N3,298,240; 60 packs of foreign macaroni with duty paid value of N3,838,469, and 505 bottles of foreign vegetable oil valued at N95,724,770.

Within the period of three months under review, the Command impounded 11 different brands of vehicles. Among the seized vehicles are one unit of Nissan Caravan (N32,842,875), one unit of Mitsubishi Outlander (N36,632,438), one unit of Equinox LT (N29,811,225), one unit of GMC (N72,001,688), and one unit of Opel Astra (N21,726,825). Other seized vehicles are one unit of Toyota Corolla (N47,243,213), one unit of Fiat Tipper Truck (N101,055,000), one unit of Blue Galaxy Ford (N50,022,225), and three units of Toyota Hiace (N98,528,625).

Acting Comptroller Adewole gave the cumulative duty paid value of these seizures as N3,221,843,672, noting that the interceptions have helped safeguard the nation’s economy, protect local industries, enhance public safety, and frustrate the activities of economic saboteurs, and criminals.

On revenue generation, he revealed that the Command collected the sum of N28,503,393,802,.75 between March and May 2026. The collection represents an eight per cent increase when compared with the sum of N26,233,796,459.57 collected during the corresponding period in 2025.

The Controller attributed the achievement to the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of the officers and men of the command, as well as the cooperation of compliant stakeholders and members of the trading community. He emphasized that the command remains resolute in its efforts to plug revenue leakages and ensure maximum revenue collection in accordance with extant laws and government policies.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of commendation awards done as part of the command’s commitment to promoting excellence and rewarding outstanding performance. The awards were given to deserving officers and men who distinguished themselves through exemplary conduct, exceptional dedication, and outstanding service delivery.

Adewole stated that the awards were intended to recognize merit, encourage professionalism, and motivate officers and men to continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity, discipline, and service excellence. He congratulated the award recipients and commended the entire workforce of the Oyo/Osun Customs Command.

Among the awardees are Officer in Charge of Enforcement Unit, DC Kayode Elijah who received the Command’s Most Disciplined Officer Award, Officer in Charge of Operations, AC Enitan Oluremi Akinlotan, who received Award of Most Outstanding Officer in the Interception of Narcotics, AC Nurudeen Kolawole Tijani who received Most Outstanding Patrol Team Award on behalf of his team, Abdulmalik Abiodun Akintola who received Award of Excellence in Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement, and a few others.

The Controller earlier expressed his profound gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD, and his management team for their visionary leadership, strategic direction, and unwavering support, which continue to enhance the operational effectiveness of commands across the service.

He later handed over the seized pharmaceutical products to the representative of NAFDAC, and the hard drugs to the representative of NDLEA.