The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has intercepted prohibited goods worth more than N9.5 billion at Idiroko between February and August 2026.
The seizures were made as part of an intensified crackdown on smuggling along the Nigeria-Benin Republic border. The command said its operations targeted a wide range of prohibited goods. These included foreign rice, petroleum products, narcotics, pharmaceuticals, tyres, clothing, sugar, fertiliser and wildlife.
Between June 24 and August 13, officers intercepted goods with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.57 billion. The seized items included 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 70 cartons of basmati rice. Officers also recovered 11,450 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), another 1,750 litres of PMS stored in drums and 30 kegs of diesel. Other seizures included 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica, 100 bags of fertiliser and 67 bales of second-hand clothing. The command also intercepted 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers and 3,760 pieces of new tops.
Gain for Local Manufacturers
According to the Customs Service, the crackdown could help ease competitive pressure on Nigerian manufacturers, farmers and legitimate importers. Local rice farmers and mills, in particular, face competition from cheaper foreign rice entering the country through unofficial routes. By disrupting such trade, the seizures could also encourage more cross-border commerce to move through formal channels.
However, the scale of the seizures also points to the strength of informal trade along the Nigeria-Benin border.
The situation highlights the importance of customs procedures that are not only effective against smuggling but also efficient, predictable and commercially viable for legitimate traders.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Oladapo Afeni, said officers were increasingly relying on intelligence, technology and cooperation with other security agencies. He said these measures were being used to disrupt smuggling networks and strengthen enforcement operations in the area.
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