Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has achieved a major interception and seizure of smuggled goods, including a substantial quantity of foreign parboiled rice and luxury buses. From January to June 2023, a total of 22,526 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice and 392 items were confiscated at the Ohumbe land border.In a press briefing on the command’s performance over the past six months, Customs Area Controller, Bamidele Makinde, provided an overview of the achievements. The seizures carried a cumulative Duty Paid Value of N1,313,628,488. Furthermore, seven individuals involved in smuggling activities were apprehended during this period.Makinde disclosed that the interceptions of the foreign parboiled rice occurred in various border areas within Ogun State, including Ipokia, Ilara, and Imeko. The overall seizures comprised a range of items, such as 5,048 used tyres, 390 bales of used clothing, 61 vehicles (including five luxury buses), 173,975 liters of petrol (equivalent to five tanker loads), 107 sacks, and 1,595 wraps of cannabis sativa, along with 167 cartons of 100x100ml and 27 cartons of 200x100ml codeine syrup.The command’s revenue generation during this period amounted to N93,301,130, derived from import duties, auction sales of Premium Motor Spirit, and proceeds from the sale of scrapped vehicles seized from smugglers. A comparative analysis of the command’s performance revealed a significant increase in revenue compared to the corresponding period in 2022.Makinde affirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to combatting the smuggling of rice and other prohibited items, aligning with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s policy on local production. By curbing smuggling activities, the aim is to foster local production and support the nation’s self-sufficiency objectives.