The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, announced the seizures on Thursday at a press conference in Idiroko, describing the attempted smuggling of the luxury car as shocking. He said investigations into the matter were ongoing, according to PM News.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contraband goods worth over N1.4 billion in Ogun State, including a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost with a duty-paid value of N905 million.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, announced the seizures on Thursday at a press conference in Idiroko, describing the attempted smuggling of the luxury car as shocking. He said investigations into the matter were ongoing, according to PM News.
Other items seized include a Honda Accord, seven trucks loaded with 4,424 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 50 sacks and 1,936 parcels of cannabis sativa, 105 used tyres, 21 bales and three sacks of used clothing, and 6,400 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
According to Otunla, the seizures amount to a total duty paid value of N1,401,531,923.95.
Otunla said, “The seizures with a DPV of N1,401,531,923,95, represents a significant economic loss to the smugglers, but a huge gain to our national economy and security.
“In addition, the command also generated a total revenue of N45,054,191:00 in July, which is higher than the N35,327,852:00 recorded in the corresponding month in 2024. This represents a commendable increase of 27.47 per cent.”
The Customs boss credited the Command’s successes to a stronger compliance drive, tighter border surveillance, and active engagement with stakeholders.
Comparing revenue figures, Comptroller Otunla said the Command generated N45,054,191 in July 2025, representing a 27.47% increase over the N35,327,852 recorded in July 2024.
Otunla said the seized illicit drugs would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.
He added that the Command had been working closely with other security agencies in line with government directives and as part of efforts to safeguard public health, strengthen national security, and protect Nigerian youths from the harmful effects of hard drugs.
The Comptroller warned that the Ogun I Command would not relent in its fight against smuggling.
In July, some NCS personnel were also accused of aiding and abetting the smuggling of rice into Lagos State.
Top sources told SaharaReporters that the contraband rice was brought from the Benin Republic and smuggled into Badagry Waterside, with areas like the Marina Customs base in Badagry, Iya Afin, and Erekiti being the first ports of call for the goods.
The allegations were made by different rice dealers who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity.
“There are lots of rice smuggling going on from Cotonou into Nigeria and the Customs is aware; yet they are doing nothing about it,” a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the development told SaharaReporters.
Another source stated that smugglers paid as much as N250,000 per boat to corrupt officials of the Nigerian Customs to allow the illegal activity to continue.
“Each boat contains between 120–150 bags of rice and each boat is taxed at N250,000 by the corrupt Customs officials, making it possible for the contraband rice to fill the Nigerian market,” the source said.
Videos and pictures obtained exclusively by SaharaReporters show smugglers on boats bringing rice into the country.
A respondent who spoke on the development lamented the impact of such smuggling on those doing legitimate business.
“This Cotonou Rice can be found in parts of Lagos, for instance, go to Sango, you will find it. If we who sell local rice face this issue, how are we expected to survive? The government says they are not aware that these smugglers are having free access into the country using waterways.
“We are pleading that something should be done about the illegal and contraband importation,” the source said.
This activity reportedly continued despite the presence of a Customs boat stationed at the exact location.
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