The Idiroko Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted two rare 19th-century artefacts alongside several prohibited items with a Duty Paid Value of ₦1.35 billion, as part of intensified anti-smuggling operations along the Nigeria–Benin Republic border.
The Acting Area Controller of the command, Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this on Monday during a press conference at the command headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.
Afeni said the recovered artefacts, believed to be of significant historical and cultural importance, were subjected to expert appraisal before being formally handed over to the National Museum, Abeokuta, for preservation.
He explained that the recovery of the artefacts demonstrates the command’s commitment to preventing the illicit trafficking of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, while also safeguarding the nation’s economy and territorial borders.
According to him, the anti-smuggling operations also translated into strong revenue performance, with the command generating ₦285,652,460 during the period under review, surpassing the ₦259,265,495 realised within the same period in 2025.
Afeni attributed the increase in revenue to improved baggage assessment, auction sales of seized petroleum products, and strict enforcement of customs fiscal policies.
He listed other seized items to include 545 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totalling 13,625 litres, 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 2,539 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil, 4,325 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 2,547 parcels of cannabis sativa of different sizes.
Other intercepted goods, he said, included second-hand clothing and footwear, imported sugar, used tyres, pharmaceutical products, perfume oil, two used vehicles, and four live pangolins.
The acting controller noted that the seized cannabis consignments had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Idiroko Special Command, while the rescued pangolins were transferred to Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation for proper care.
Afeni said the seizures align with the economic protection and border security mandate of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in safeguarding local industries, public health, and the nation’s cultural heritage.
He added that with the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the command would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to combat smuggling and related crimes.
On trade facilitation, Afeni revealed that the command also recorded progress in export activities, facilitating the movement of 95 metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board value of ₦305,749,264.05, compared to zero exports recorded during the same period in 2025.
He commended traditional rulers, host communities, sister security agencies, and the media for their cooperation, assuring that the command would sustain strict enforcement and collaboration to boost revenue, secure the borders, and preserve Nigeria’s cultural assets.
