How Ogun Customs Command balancesll tough enforcement with trade facilitation – Ag. Controller Afeni
By Eberechi Obinagwam
The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has adopted a strategy that combines aggressive intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operations with trade facilitation, export promotion and stronger community engagement, as part of efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders without stifling legitimate business.
The acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni disclosed this in an interview with the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) in Idiroko on Monday, saying the Command’s strategy is built on the understanding that effective border security must go hand-in-hand with the promotion of legitimate trade.
According to him, while the Command has sustained pressure on smugglers, it has also removed unnecessary bottlenecks that hinder lawful business activities.
“When I assumed office, there were numerous checkpoints along this corridor. Today, we have reduced them to only two strategic locations, Ajilite and Ihumbo, because excessive roadblocks do not support trade facilitation. Our objective is to ensure that legitimate traders can move their goods with minimal delay while maintaining effective enforcement.”
Afeni said the Command’s enforcement drive has produced significant results over the last six months, leading to the interception of large quantities of prohibited items and dangerous drugs.
He disclosed that the Command in the second quarter of 2026, recorded major seizures valued at over ₦4.6 billion and has handed over about 30,000 parcels of cannabis, equivalent to more than 12 tonnes, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), alongside consignments of methamphetamine and heroin. It also handed over military uniforms to relevant security agencies intercepted during anti-smuggling operations in the last six months.
Despite the successes, Afeni acknowledged that the Command continues to contend with difficult terrain, poor telecommunications coverage and the unique geographical realities of the Nigeria-Benin Republic border, noting that these factors often make intelligence gathering and rapid deployment challenging.
He pointed out that in some border communities, buildings straddle both countries, requiring Customs officers to rely heavily on professionalism, intelligence and strategic coordination during operations.
To overcome these challenges, Afeni said the Nigeria Customs Service is deploying geospatial intelligence technology that will enable real-time border monitoring and faster dissemination of operational intelligence from the Service Headquarters.
The Acting Area Controller also emphasised that enforcement alone cannot eliminate smuggling, especially in communities where illicit cross-border trade has long been regarded as a means of livelihood.
“We also recognise that some border communities have historically viewed smuggling as a way of life and means of livelihood. That is why, beyond enforcement, we are engaging in sustained sensitisation and encouraging legitimate economic activities because people need viable alternatives.”
He said the Command has intensified engagement with traditional rulers, opinion leaders and community stakeholders to strengthen intelligence gathering and discourage involvement in illegal trade.
He disclosed that intelligence indicates that the cannabis popularly known as Ghana Loud originates from Ghana and is transported through Togo and the Benin Republic before entering Nigeria through border communities that largely serve as transit routes.
According to Afeni, the Imeko axis accounts for virtually all narcotics seizures made by the Command, prompting sustained dialogue with community leaders in the area. He said the Command’s engagement strategy is already producing encouraging results.
“The encouraging development is that our host communities are on the same page with us and increasingly supporting our operations. I just concluded a meeting with the indigenous people of Idiroko, and we are all working together to combat the illegal movement of narcotics, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other prohibited goods.”
On revenue generation, the Acting Area Controller said the enforcement-focused Command generated ₦663.26 million as of the end of June and expressed optimism that the figure would continue to rise.
He also highlighted a significant improvement in export activities through the Command, describing it as a major step towards providing legitimate economic alternatives for border communities.
According to him, during the second quarter of 2026, the Command facilitated exports totalling 20,972 metric tonnes with a Free on Board (FOB) value exceeding ₦1 billion, comprising products such as white talc, crushed thermal coal and compressed natural gas products.
Afeni noted that the achievement represents a remarkable turnaround, as the Command recorded no export activity during the corresponding period in 2025.
“Ogun I is primarily an enforcement command, but we understand that enforcement alone is not enough. People who have seen smuggling as a way of life must be encouraged to embrace legitimate trade and provided with alternatives. Export operations have fully resumed, and traders who comply with all documentation requirements can move their goods without hindrance. We are committed to facilitating lawful trade while remaining uncompromising against smuggling.”
Beyond enforcement and trade, Afeni said the Command is also investing in the welfare of host communities through ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
He disclosed that the the Ogun I Area Command, through the Customs Cares Initiative, is executing three CSR projects comprising a hospital in Imeko, a secondary school in Ijofin and a jetty in the same community.
According to him, the jetty, which is about 40 per cent completed, is expected to improve transportation for residents who rely on water routes to connect with Badagry.
He said the projects demonstrate the Service’s commitment to fostering stronger relationships with border communities while supporting sustainable socio-economic development alongside its core mandates of revenue generation, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling enforcement.
