The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a major seizure of cannabis and other banned items worth over ₦5 billion in Ogun State.

The operation, carried out by the Ogun Area 1 Command, led to the interception of large quantities of cannabis (Indian hemp) and several other prohibited goods. The seizures were made in different locations across the state in recent weeks.

Comptroller M. A. Yusuf, the Area Comptroller, said the command acted on credible intelligence to stop smugglers from bringing in the illegal substances. He described the interception as one of the biggest in recent times for the command.

The seized items include sacks of cannabis and other restricted products. Customs officials have handed over the cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action, while investigations into the smuggling network continue.

Ogun State, which shares a long border with Benin Republic, is known as a major route for smuggling activities. Items such as cannabis, arms, ammunition, and fake products are often moved through illegal routes to avoid detection.

The Nigeria Customs Service says it will continue to strengthen border patrols and intelligence gathering to stop smuggling. The command warned smugglers that any attempt to bring in prohibited items will be met with strong resistance and possible prosecution.

This latest seizure is expected to deal a blow to drug trafficking networks operating in the Southwest. It also shows the Customs Service’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy and public health by preventing dangerous substances from entering the country.

For residents of Ogun State and surrounding areas, such operations help reduce the availability of hard drugs that often fuel crime and destroy young lives. The NCS has appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that can help them tackle smuggling more effectively.

The command says it remains focused on its core duties of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling as it works to secure Nigeria’s borders.