Ogun 1 Customs Intercepts N417m Range Rover

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 valued at about N417 million, allegedly being smuggled through the nation’s land border.

Showcasing the luxury Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) at a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Idiroko, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, expressed surprise that an individual capable of acquiring such an expensive vehicle could choose to evade the statutory duty payable to the Federal Government.

Afeni, who described the seizure as one of the highlights of the Command’s recent anti-smuggling operations, questioned the rationale behind spending hundreds of millions of naira on a luxury vehicle while attempting to circumvent the country’s import regulations.

According to him, the seizure underscored the determination of officers and men of Ogun I Command to frustrate attempts by smugglers and other economic saboteurs to undermine government revenue and border security.

The Controller put the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized Range Rover Sport Autobiography P530 at N417,011,982, making it one of the most notable seizures recorded by the Command during the period under review.

The seizure formed part of a wider enforcement operation in which the Command intercepted foreign parboiled rice, petroleum products, narcotics, used clothing, tyres and other prohibited or improperly imported goods along the Ogun border corridors.

Afeni disclosed that between August and September 2026 alone, the Command seized 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 3,893 parcels of Cannabis Indica weighing approximately 1.878 tonnes, 428 pneumatic tyres, 8,675 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 24 bales of second-hand clothing, four sacks of used shoes and 500 litres of diesel.

The total DPV of the seizures during the period, excluding the separate figure highlighted for the Range Rover in his presentation, was put at N2.469 billion.

The Acting Controller said the enforcement results reflected the Command’s “zero-tolerance” approach to smuggling and what he described as border economic sabotage.

He stressed that while the Command remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade, compliance with the country’s fiscal and import regulations was non-negotiable.

“Why would somebody be able to buy a vehicle of this magnitude and still be unwilling to pay the duty?” Afeni asked rhetorically, while displaying the Range Rover to journalists.

The luxury vehicle seizure also provided a striking illustration of the changing nature of smuggling at Nigeria’s land borders, where Customs enforcement is increasingly confronted with high-value vehicles and other commodities capable of causing significant revenue losses when brought into the country outside approved channels.

Afeni said the Command had strengthened its import and export verification mechanisms to facilitate compliant trade while maintaining strict regulatory oversight over sensitive goods.

He added that the enforcement drive was being sustained through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with sister security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

As part of the inter-agency cooperation, the Command during the briefing handed over the 3,893 parcels of cannabis seized during the operation to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command for further investigation.

Beyond seizures, Afeni said the Command had also maintained its focus on revenue generation, baggage assessment, physical examination and trade facilitation at designated border points.

He explained that officers had continued to balance enforcement with the need to ensure that legitimate traders were able to conduct business without unnecessary bottlenecks.

The Acting Controller said the Command’s operational strategy was anchored on strengthening border security, suppressing smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade and deepening engagement with stakeholders and border communities.

He further disclosed that Customs had sustained dialogue with traditional rulers, youth leaders and border community associations as part of efforts to build mutual trust and reduce hostility associated with enforcement operations.

Afeni warned smugglers and other perpetrators of illicit border activities that the Ogun I corridor would remain hostile territory for uncustomed goods.

“Ogun I Command will continue to be a hostile zone for uncustomed goods and illicit trade,” he declared, stressing that the Command remained committed to protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and national security.

He attributed the successes recorded by the Command to the dedication of its officers and men and the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, and the NCS management.

For the owner of the N417 million Range Rover, however, the seizure has transformed what was presumably an attempt to bring a luxury automobile into Nigeria into a costly encounter with Customs enforcement at the Idiroko border corridor.