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The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that export operations have fully resumed at the Nigeria-Benin border following the non-oil export volume of 20,972 metric tonnes valued at over N1 billion in the second quarter of 2026.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Oladapo Afeni, while disclosing this during an interview with maritime correspondents, described the development as significant progress in non-oil export promotion and cross-border trade, noting that the command recorded no export activity during the same period in 2025.
According to him, the exports comprised white talc, crushed thermal coal, and compressed natural gas (CNG) products, stressing that compliant exporters could now move their goods seamlessly across the border once all documentation requirements were met.
On revenue generation, the Acting Controller disclosed that the Command generated N663.26 million as of the end of June 2026 and expressed confidence that the figure had increased in July.
He noted that, despite being predominantly an enforcement command, Ogun I had continued to record commendable revenue performance and was optimistic of improved collections in the coming months.
He attributed the improvement to the Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining strict enforcement against smuggling.
Afeni said the Command’s anti-smuggling operations led to seizures of over 4.6 billion in the second quarter of 2026, with about 30,000 parcels of cannabis, weighing over 12 tonnes, as well as methamphetamine and heroin handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He added that military uniforms and several other prohibited items intended for smuggling into and out of the country had also been intercepted and transferred to the appropriate security agencies as part of ongoing inter-agency collaboration.
Afeni also noted that many border communities had historically depended on smuggling as a source of livelihood, stressing that the Command was combining enforcement with sustained sensitisation campaigns and the promotion of legitimate economic activities.
On stakeholder engagement, the Acting Controller said the Command had prioritised collaboration with traditional rulers, opinion leaders and community stakeholders to improve public support for anti-smuggling operations.
Afeni disclosed that engagement had been intensified in the Imeko axis, where most of the narcotics intercepted by the Command originated.
According to him, intelligence revealed that most of the cannabis, popularly known as “Ghana Loud,” originated from Ghana before passing through Togo and the Benin Republic into Nigeria, with border communities serving mainly as transit points.
To facilitate legitimate trade, Afeni said the Command had drastically reduced the number of checkpoints along its operational corridor from several locations to only two strategic checkpoints at Ajilite and Ihumbo.
According to him, the removal of unnecessary roadblocks was aimed at reducing delays for legitimate traders while ensuring effective enforcement.
“Excessive roadblocks do not support trade facilitation, and our objective is to ensure legitimate traders move their goods with minimal delay,” he stated.
Speaking on operational challenges, Afeni identified poor telecommunications coverage in parts of Ogun State and the difficult terrain as major obstacles affecting intelligence gathering and rapid response to smuggling activities.
The Customs boss also described the peculiar Nigeria-Benin border demarcation as a significant challenge, noting that some buildings straddle both countries.
