Nigeria Customs Service has intensified efforts to combat smuggling and dismantle illicit trade networks along the nation’s borders.

The area comptroller of the Ogun I area Command, Idiroko, Olukayode Afeni, disclosed this during a news conference on Wednesday.

Mr Afeni said the command remained committed to securing the borders, protecting the economy and curbing illegal trade activities through enhanced surveillance and inter-agency collaboration.

According to him, the command recorded 73 seizures within 41 days through intelligence-driven operations.

He listed the items seized to include 1,759 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 2,685 kegs of 25-litre vegetable oil, 14,550 litres of petrol, 216 cartons of 20kg Basmati rice and 66 bales of second-hand clothing.

Others are 205 packs of footwear, 46 bags of foreign sugar, 77 cartons of Analgin injection, 16 cartons of organic honey, 50 cartons of expired seasoning cubes, 858 packs of macaroni, two sacks of spaghetti and six pangolins.

Mr Afeni said the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items stood at N6.77 billion.

“The command remains steadfast in its mission to secure the land borders, fortify the national economy and dismantle illicit trade networks,” he said.

He added that the command generated N125.43 million into the federation account through baggage assessment and auction of seized petroleum products.

According to him, the seizures were made at different locations across the state through intensive intelligence operations.

Mr Afeni reaffirmed the commitment of the command to safeguarding the economy and ensuring public safety.

(NAN)