The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has reported revenue generation exceeding N3.89 billion in the first quarter of 2026, alongside intensified anti-smuggling operations that resulted in seizures valued at more than N204.7 million across the state and neighbouring border communities.

Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, disclosed this on Thursday during the Command's third press briefing of the year, held in Ilorin.

Ogundeyi stated that the revenue performance was achieved despite the continued closure of Nigeria's land borders with the Republic of Benin since 2019, noting that the Command relied primarily on excise factories and anti-smuggling operations for revenue generation.

According to him, the Command generated exactly N3,895,333,182.94 between January and March 2026.

He attributed the successes recorded by the Command to improved intelligence-driven operations, discipline among personnel, and stronger collaboration with other security agencies.

"The Command has witnessed a paradigm shift in intelligence-driven operations and discipline following the redeployment of new leadership in the Customs Intelligence Unit and Customs Police Unit," he said.

Ogundeyi also commended the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing strategic direction and operational support to the Command.

On anti-smuggling operations, the acting controller said Customs operatives intercepted several prohibited and uncustomed goods between March and May 2026 at major smuggling flashpoints across Kwara State.

The affected routes included Bukuro, Gurumi, Sikira, Okuta, Boriya, Tewu, Bero, Sango, Okeoyi, Alapa, Malete, Bani, Offa, Idofian, Eiyenkorin, and the Lagos-Ilorin Expressway.

Items seized during the operations, according to him, included 155 bags of foreign parboiled rice valued at N52.4 million, 3,697 packs of macaroni pasta worth N110.9 million, 418 jerrycans of vegetable oil valued at N27.1 million, and 237 jerrycans of petrol totalling 5,925 litres.

He said the Command also intercepted 49.5 kilograms of cannabis, 376 kilograms of tramadol, 70 used tyres, corrosive chemicals, and 18 bales of second-hand clothing.

Ogundeyi stated that the nine seizures recorded within the period had a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N204,763,439.

He emphasised that the operations were aimed at protecting national revenue, combating illegal trade, and preventing the circulation of prohibited goods within the country.

"We remain resolute in deploying proactive and intelligence-driven strategies to secure our borders and protect the nation's economy," he said.

The Customs boss appealed to residents of border communities to support security agencies with timely and credible information to sustain the fight against smuggling and other trans-border crimes.

He also pledged that the Command would continue to ensure that individuals involved in illegal trading activities are brought to justice.