The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is shifting from traditional border patrol operations to a technology-driven enforcement system as authorities intensify efforts to combat smuggling and transborder crimes.

The Command announced the transition during a press briefing in Idiroko on Tuesday, where officials also unveiled seizures worth more than ₦6.7bn recorded within 41 days.

Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller O.O. Afeni, said the Command had entered “a new era of digital enforcement” through the deployment of geospatial technology and intelligence-led operations across border corridors.

According to Customs, the seizures included more than 10,000 parcels of cannabis indica, foreign rice, vegetable oil, petrol, expired food products, and other prohibited imports.

Why the crackdown matters

The development highlights Nigeria’s growing reliance on digital surveillance and intelligence gathering to tackle smuggling networks operating along porous border communities.

Customs officials say the strategy is designed to strengthen border security while reducing delays for legitimate businesses and cross-border trade operators.

Afeni said the reforms align with the modernization agenda introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

“This transition marks a fundamental shift from traditional patrolling to intelligence-led operations,” Afeni said.

He explained that the Command was moving away from heavy stop-and-search patrols and adopting surveillance systems capable of identifying smuggling hotspots and tracking illegal trade routes in real time.

Officials say the system is also expected to improve transparency and reduce operational bottlenecks for traders.

Major seizures recorded

The Ogun I Area Command said it recorded 73 seizures within five weeks through intelligence-led patrols and surveillance operations.

The intercepted items included:

10,126 parcels of cannabis indica weighing about 4,627kg

1,759 bags of foreign parboiled rice

2,685 kegs of smuggled vegetable oil

14,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)

77 cartons of Analgin injection without NAFDAC approval

50 cartons of expired Maggi seasoning

66 bales of second-hand clothing

205 packs of footwear

16 cartons of organic honey

Six live pangolins

The Command said the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures stood at ₦6.77bn.

Customs officials estimated that the cannabis haul alone had a street value exceeding ₦5bn.

Afeni said several interceptions were made along the Shagamu Interchange and Ogere axis, areas authorities identified as major smuggling corridors.

Concerns over drug trafficking and insecurity

Customs warned that rising narcotics trafficking poses increasing risks to public safety and national security.

According to Afeni, the Ogun I Area Command has intercepted 26,002 parcels of cannabis since January 2026.

He said the seizures were not merely enforcement statistics but part of broader efforts to curb criminal activities linked to drug abuse.

“The rise in drug abuse poses serious threats to national security and public health,” Afeni warned.

The Customs official linked narcotics trafficking to crimes including kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, and terrorism.

Security analysts have repeatedly identified Nigeria’s border communities as vulnerable transit routes for illicit drugs and smuggled goods due to weak surveillance infrastructure and organized smuggling syndicates.

Trade facilitation and revenue generation

Beyond anti-smuggling operations, Customs says the digital enforcement system is also improving trade facilitation.

The Command disclosed that between March 16 and May 12, 2026, it generated ₦125.4m through baggage assessments and auction sales of seized petroleum products.

Officials also said the Command facilitated the export of 95 metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value exceeding ₦1bn.

Afeni said complaints about multiple checkpoints along trade routes had reduced significantly.

“We are not just catching smugglers; we are clearing the path for honest businesses,” he said.

The Command added that its operations were being aligned with the World Customs Organization SAFE Framework of Standards, which promotes secure and efficient global trade.

Inter-agency collaboration

The Ogun I Area Command credited its recent successes to intelligence-sharing and collaboration with other security agencies.

Afeni commended the support of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Police Force.

He said the Command would continue leveraging technology, intelligence, and inter-agency cooperation to dismantle illicit trade networks operating around Nigeria’s borders.

Industry and public perspective

Trade experts say the success of digital customs enforcement could help Nigeria reduce revenue leakages while improving investor confidence in cross-border commerce.

However, analysts note that long-term success will depend on sustained investment in border technology, personnel training, and regional intelligence cooperation.

Border communities and transport operators have also frequently raised concerns about the economic impact of smuggling activities and security threats along transit routes.

What’s next?

Customs authorities say the next phase of reforms will focus on expanding surveillance capabilities, strengthening intelligence gathering, and improving trade efficiency.

The agency says it aims to create a system that balances strict border enforcement with easier movement for compliant businesses and exporters.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional Customs modernisation, digital trade systems, and cross-border cooperation during the 32nd Conference of Directors-General of Customs for the West and Central Africa (WCA) Region in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The two-day conference, held from 7 to 8 May 2026, brought together Customs leaders from across West and Central Africa to discuss trade facilitation, border security, and economic integrat

Adeniyi, who also serves as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, said Nigeria’s leadership role within the region is built on collective responsibility rather than individual authority.

“This chairmanship is not mine. It belongs to the region that sent me,” Adeniyi declared.

“Anytime I take the chair, I take it on behalf of every administration represented in this hall. That is the truth of it, and that is the spirit in which I serve.”

Why the Conference Matters

The conference comes at a time when African countries are accelerating efforts to modernise Customs systems to support regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Officials at the summit focused heavily on digital transformation, intelligence-sharing, and harmonised border procedures aimed at reducing illicit trade while improving legitimate commerce across the region.

The conference theme, “A Customs Service that Protects Society Through its Vigilance and Commitment” reflected growing concerns about smuggling, transnational crimes, and weak border systems in parts of Africa.

Delegates agreed that stronger Customs collaboration is becoming increasingly important as regional trade expands under AfCFTA.

Nigeria’s Role in Regional Modernisation

Adeniyi highlighted what he described as the WCA region’s culture of inclusivity and rotational leadership, saying every member state has an equal role in shaping regional Customs policies.

“Our region has a quiet but powerful tradition. Every member, big or small, takes its turn,” he said.

“The right to host is not negotiated. We pass the baton from one capital to the next, and in the passing, we remind ourselves of who we are.”

He added that the region’s unity has helped strengthen cooperation among member states on trade and security issues.

The Nigeria Customs Service has in recent years intensified reforms around automation, intelligence-led enforcement, and digital trade systems.

Industry analysts say such reforms are critical for reducing delays at African ports and improving revenue generation across the continent.

Sierra Leone Unveils Digital Customs Plans

During the conference, Sierra Leone’s Finance Ministry unveiled plans to modernise the country’s Customs infrastructure through upgrades to ASYCUDA World and the introduction of a Single Window Customs and Ports Community System.

Officials also announced plans for product tracing and fiscal integrity systems aimed at monitoring excisable goods and curbing revenue leakages.

The President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio, officially opened the conference.

He stressed the importance of regional collaboration in improving border management, trade facilitation, and economic integration across West and Central Africa.

Focus on Digital Trade and Border Security

One of the conference’s major discussion points was the implementation of digital trade frameworks, including the ECOWAS SIGMAT transit system and Single Window platforms designed to streamline Customs procedures.

Delegates also examined how African countries can better balance free trade with stronger border protection measures.

Participants agreed that real-time information sharing and coordinated intelligence operations are essential for tackling smuggling and organised transnational crimes.

Experts at the conference noted that weak border systems continue to cost African economies billions of dollars annually through illicit trade and revenue losses.

Leadership Changes Announced

The conference also saw the election of the Central African Republic as the new Vice Chair for the WCO West and Central Africa Region.

The country succeeds Mali, which completed its two-year tenure in the role.

Industry Perspective

Trade and logistics experts say regional Customs harmonisation could significantly improve the movement of goods across Africa.

Analysts believe that modern digital Customs systems may help reduce port congestion, improve transparency, and boost investor confidence in regional trade corridors.

However, they also warn that implementation challenges, infrastructure gaps, and varying national policies could slow progress.

What Happens Next?

The resolutions reached during the conference are expected to shape regional Customs policies in the coming years, particularly around automation, trade intelligence, and AfCFTA implementation.

For Nigeria, the discussions align closely with the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing push toward smarter border systems and technology-driven enforcement operations.

JMG Limited has announced a series of engineering, retail infrastructure and logistics expansion projects completed in the first quarter of 2026, as the company pushes to strengthen its footprint across Nigeria’s industrial and commercial sectors.

The integrated electromechanical solutions company said the projects span manufacturing, retail operations and nationwide haulage, reflecting growing demand for energy-efficient infrastructure and supply chain support in Africa’s largest economy.

Among the major projects highlighted was an industrial upgrade at the Dangote Cement plant in Gboko, Benue State, where JMG Industrial installed a new compressed air system designed to improve operational efficiency at the facility.

According to the company, the intervention followed a detailed audit and introduced eight Kaeser compressor rotary lobe blower units to improve airflow stability used in cement production and material handling systems.

JMG said the upgrade increased airflow efficiency by 23% and raised peak airflow capacity by up to 47%, helping to reduce energy losses and improve production reliability.

Why the projects matter

Nigeria’s industrial and logistics sectors have continued to face pressure from rising energy costs, unstable power supply and supply chain disruptions.

Industry analysts say companies investing in integrated infrastructure systems may gain a competitive advantage as manufacturers and retailers increasingly seek operational efficiency and lower long-term costs.

The retail sector was also part of JMG’s Q1 expansion drive through a large-scale infrastructure project for Quick Buy Supermarket.

The project combined power generation, HVAC climate systems and electrical infrastructure into a single coordinated framework.

At the centre of the installation are two FG Wilson 550kVA generators and a 330kVA unit powered by Perkins engines, integrated with the national grid to ensure uninterrupted operations.

The company said the supermarket’s cooling network includes Trane rooftop units, VRF zoning systems and inverter-based cooling systems designed to maintain stable temperatures in retail and storage areas.

Energy and infrastructure experts say integrated cooling and power systems are becoming increasingly important for supermarkets and cold-chain operators dealing with Nigeria’s inconsistent electricity supply.

Logistics expansion targets nationwide distribution

Beyond engineering projects, JMG also expanded its logistics division with the addition of 20 heavy-duty trucks under JMG Haulage.

The company said each truck can carry up to 24 pallets with a payload capacity of 45 tons, supporting distribution across FMCG and industrial supply networks nationwide.

The fleet combines compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks with diesel-powered units.

JMG said the CNG trucks can travel up to 1,400 kilometres, helping to improve fuel efficiency and operational flexibility across long-distance commercial routes.

The move comes as more Nigerian logistics operators explore alternative fuel systems amid rising diesel prices and growing interest in cleaner energy transport solutio

Company reaction

Commenting on the projects, JMG’s Chief Commercial Officer, Rabi Jammal, said the company remains focused on scalable engineering systems that improve operational performance.

“Our focus is on strengthening systems that improve efficiency, reliability, and operational performance for our clients across industrial and logistics value chains,” he said.

JMG said its broader operations now span power generation, electrical infrastructure, cooling systems, air compressors, vertical transportation and renewable energy solutions including solar and hybrid systems.

Industry perspective

Manufacturing and logistics stakeholders say the projects reflect a broader shift toward infrastructure integration in Nigeria’s private sector.

Business analysts note that companies are increasingly combining power, cooling and transport systems to reduce downtime, improve supply chains and manage operating costs more effectively.

The trend is particularly important for industrial plants, supermarkets and nationwide distributors operating in sectors heavily affected by power instability and logistics bottlenecks.

What’s next?

Industry observers expect continued investment in hybrid energy systems, industrial automation and gas-powered transportation infrastructure as businesses adapt to Nigeria’s evolving economic environment.

With manufacturers and retailers under pressure to cut costs while maintaining productivity, infrastructure firms offering integrated solutions could see rising demand in 2026 and beyond.

For more information about the company, visit JMG Limited