Ogun 1 Command Declares War on Illicit Trade, To Protect Nigeria’s Economy — Compt Afeni

Ogun 1 Command Declares War on Illicit Trade, To Protect Nigeria’s Economy — Compt Afeni

…DC Afeni’s Stand: ‘Smuggling is the mother of all crimes, and we’ll keep cracking down.

By success oOkezie

 

The Acting Area Controller of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, has declared that smugglers operating along the Idiroko axis are “feeling the heat” as the command intensifies enforcement operations to suppress smuggling activities to the barest minimum.

Afeni made this known on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when members of the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) paid a courtesy visit to the command headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.

Welcoming the journalists, the Acting Controller described Ogun 1 Command as primarily an enforcement zone, stressing that its core mandate is to deter smugglers and prevent illicit cross-border trade.

“Ogun 1 Command is an enforcement zone, and our primary duty is to deter smugglers or would-be smugglers from perpetrating their illicit acts. In an environment of operational enforcement, clashes and frictions are not unexpected, but the focus must always be on the result — suppressing smuggling to the barest minimum,” Afeni said.

He disclosed that operational pressure mounted by Customs officers had recently triggered violent resistance, including attacks on officers in the line of duty. According to him, an officer was attacked earlier the same day, a development he described as a sign that smugglers were under pressure.

 

“You don’t have attacks if officers are not doing what they are supposed to do. The pressure is getting to them, and that is why they are reacting,” he stated.

Afeni called on the media to support the command by helping to educate the public on the dangers of smuggling, noting that smuggling undermines the economy and turns Nigeria into a dumping ground for prohibited goods.

“Smuggling does not do anybody any good. Nigeria cannot be turned into a dumping ground. Government has banned certain items so that domestic industries can thrive. If we keep importing, we make the economy docile. The focus now is on production and exportation,” he explained.

He emphasised that the command’s operations are guided by established rules of engagement, adding that while some level of force may be inevitable in enforcing the law, Customs officers act strictly within legal boundaries.

Narrating a recent incident, Afeni said officers arrested smugglers conveying bags of rice on motorcycles in a bush path and seized 46 bags of rice. However, about 40 kilometres away from the scene, they were ambushed by suspected land grabbers who allegedly specialise in intercepting seized goods from Customs officers.

“Our officers resisted them, and they opened fire. You saw the pellets on our vehicles. In such a situation, where lives are in danger, the law allows officers to defend themselves,” he said.

 

 

He revealed that the command had adopted a “carrot and stick” approach, engaging opinion leaders and traditional rulers to caution their subjects against attacking Customs officers.

“Nobody should attack our officers in the course of their legitimate duty. We are engaging traditional leaders to help educate their people,” Afeni added.

He acknowledged the socio-economic challenges in the area, noting that many residents see smuggling as a means of livelihood rather than a crime.

“People see smuggling here as a business. They don’t see it as a crime. Smuggling is the mother of all crimes. But despite the situation, the job must be done. We have the full backing of Customs management,” he stressed.

Afeni further disclosed that the Idiroko border remains open for legitimate trade, describing it as the only officially open land border in the area, but lamented the presence of over 1,000 unapproved routes which smugglers exploit.

 

“We can’t be everywhere, so we rely heavily on intelligence. That is why most of our seizures are high-quality seizures,” he said.

He added that a joint security meeting was held in January with sister agencies, including counterparts in the Benin Republic, to strengthen intelligence sharing and investigate recent attacks on officers.

“Investigations are ongoing, and before long, we will brief you on the outcome,” he assured.

Also speaking, the command’s Legal Officer, Ogar, said the Ogun 1 Command had ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects aimed at fostering cordial relations with host communities, including interventions in schools and community programmes.

“The people fighting us are those engaged in economic sabotage. The average resident in Ipokia, Ayetoro and surrounding areas is happy with us,” he said. Ogar also highlighted the command’s sponsorship of an annual art exhibition in the area as part of efforts to promote peace and community engagement, adding that Customs remains committed to doing more in the area of security, revenue generation and CSR.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria, Mr. Jerry Aguigbo, felicitate with the Acting Controller on his new posting and assured him of the association’s commitment to support the command with accurate reportage and as well strengthen the existing cordial relationship between MAJAN and the Ogun 1 Command.

Aguigbo noted that MAJAN, publishers of The Powerful Pen newspaper, has consistently supported the command through accurate reporting and information dissemination.

 

He said “We have always maintained a cordial relationship with your predecessors, and we want it to continue. We know there are challenges, and we want to be part of your success story”

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