…takes delivery of 13 Patrol vehicles
The Ogun 1 area command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has intercepted a Mercedes-Benz truck conveying large parcels of illicit drug weighing 1,450 kilograms in ilaro, Yewa South area of Ogun state
The illicit drug was ingeniously concealed in a fabricated compartment known as false bottom of the truck in order to bypass security check points along that corridor but was
The Customs officers also arrested the truck driver , William Asare, a 39-year-old Nigerian resident of Mobil, Challenge area, Ibadan, Oyo state.
The Area Controller, Comptroller, Godwin Otunla who made the revelations during the handing over of the 2,693 parcels of cannabis sativa and the suspect to the National Drug law enforcement agency, NDLEA, Idiroko Area Command on Thursday 3rd , July,2025.
The Controller who noted that the successful interception of the large quantity of illicit drugs with Duty Paid Value (DPV) amounting to N172,920,000 remained a significant step in the halting the circulation of harmful substances among the youth and thereby safeguarding national security.
According to him “As you may recall, we reiterated the Command’s unwavering resolve to continue combating smuggling activities within Ogun State.”
” I am pleased to inform you that, in line with this commitment and through sustained enforcement efforts backed by credible intelligence, the Command has recorded yet another remarkable success. By meticulously deploying strategies tailored to counter emerging smuggling trends, our operatives achieved this feat within a matter of days.
“On Sunday, 29 June 2025, at about 0005 hours, our operatives, during an intelligence-driven operation, intercepted a Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number EPE-595-LA. The vehicle was driven by one Mr. William Asare, a 39-year-old Nigerian resident of Mobil, Challenge area, Ibadan, Oyo State. Upon initial examination, the truck was suspected to be conveying prohibited items. Further inspection revealed that several parcels of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as marijuana, had been ingeniously concealed within fabricated compartments — also referred to as a false bottom — of the truck.
“In accordance with Section 226 of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act, 2023, the truck was immediately moved to the Command’s headquarters in Idiroko for further investigation. A comprehensive physical examination revealed a total of 2,693 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 1,450kg.”
” “Gentlemen of the press, having secured the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) and Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, I will now hand over the seized cannabis and the suspect to the NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command, for further investigation and necessary action.”
He also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intensifying efforts against smuggling and cross-border crimes.
Comptroller Godwin Otunla also congratulated the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale On his emergence as the chairperson of WCO which comprises of 186 member nations while also appreciating him for the deployment of 13 new Patrol vehicles to enhance the command’s operations.
“Permit me to use this opportunity to congratulate the CGC on his well-deserved election as the Chairperson of the WCO Council, comprising 186 member countries. This is a prestigious global recognition of his visionary leadership and commitment to reform and modernization in the Nigeria Customs Service.
” I am also pleased to announce that the Command has just taken delivery of 13 operational vehicles, generously allocated by the CGC to boost our operational capacity. We are deeply grateful to him and the entire management team for their continued support and encouragement.” He concluded.
On his part, the Commander, National Drug law enforcement agency, Idiroko Special Command, Ekundayo Williams commended the customs for the seizure noting that the robust collaboration between the two agencies have no doubt yielded significant results in the area of anti smuggling and drug trafficking.
He therefore assured that the NDLEA will immediately swing into actions to investigate the owner of the illicit drugs and other collaborators.
