Kwara Customs Seize 14 Vehicles, Lithium, Foreign Rice in Massive Raid

The “safe corridor” for economic saboteurs in Kwara State has officially been slammed shut. In a massive blow to illegal trade, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has showcased a staggering haul of seized contrabands valued at over N478 million.

From precious solid minerals to mountains of foreign rice, the command proved on Wednesday that their intelligence-driven dragnet is catching everything in its path.

The star of the exhibition was the interception of 120 sacks of illegally mined lithium ore at the Alapa/Banni axis. As the world races for “white gold” to power the electric vehicle revolution, the Kwara Command is ensuring Nigeria’s mineral wealth isn’t bled out through the back door.

But the smugglers didn’t stop at minerals. Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, revealed a “showroom” of seized goods that would make any illegal trader weep:

A visibly stern DC Ogundeyi told journalists at the command headquarters that the days of using Kwara as a “safe haven” for smuggling are over.

“It is barely two months since our last briefing… I made it abundantly clear that smuggling activities would not be tolerated under my watch,” Ogundeyi stated. “Regrettably, some criminal elements driven by illicit profit have continued to test our resolve. They have consistently been met with firm and decisive enforcement.”

While the anti-smuggling team was busy on the borders, the revenue wing wasn’t slacking. Despite the focus on enforcement, the command generated a whopping N2.53 billion in revenue through excise activities during the period under review.

The Customs boss emphasized that every bag of foreign rice smuggled is a blow to the Nigerian farmer. He called on border communities to choose patriotism over “quick cash,” warning that the synergy between the NCS and other security agencies is now stronger than ever.