The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service witnessed a change of leadership on Tuesday, September 30, 2026, as Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni formally handed over to his successor, Deputy Comptroller AA Ibrahim, at the Command Headquarters Conference Room, Idiroko.
The ceremony was attended by the incoming Acting Area Controller, heads of sister security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders, counterparts from the Republic of Benin, distinguished stakeholders, senior officers and men of the Command, and members of the press.
In his valedictory speech, DC Afeni, who has been redeployed to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Ikeja, Lagos by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, expressed deep gratitude to Almighty God and to the Customs management for the opportunity to serve.
Afeni, who assumed leadership of the strategic border Command on December 4, 2025, said his administration pursued a four-point mandate: strengthening border security, suppressing smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade, and deepening stakeholder engagement across Ogun State.
He noted that border security remains a collective responsibility, which informed the Command’s high-level joint engagements to harmonize operations along Ogun border corridors. According to him, the Command deepened operational synergy with the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other agencies to effectively counter cross-border crimes.
The Command, he added, sustained constructive dialogue with traditional rulers, youth leaders and border community associations to build mutual trust and reduce hostility during enforcement operations.
Afeni congratulated his successor on his well-deserved appointment and appealed to officers, sister agencies, traditional institutions and stakeholders to give him unalloyed cooperation.
Reflecting on his ten-month tenure, Afeni said his administration took hard but necessary decisions for effective performance, not for personal gains, but to meet the targets set by the Comptroller-General. He said those decisions, though tough, transformed the Command in structure, revenue generation, anti-smuggling and trade facilitation.
On revenue, Afeni disclosed that the Command was given a revenue target of N545,348,440.12 for the period, but generated N896,539,138.00 between January and August 2026, thereby surpassing the target by N350,713,920.82. He attributed the feat to dedication, transparency and resilience of officers and men.
In the area of export, the Command recorded 31,177 metric tons of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of N4,644,740,110.09. He said this represents a significant improvement over the same period in 2025, which recorded zero export trade.
On anti-smuggling, Afeni said the Command recorded 327 seizures from December 4, 2025 to September 29, 2026, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N14,750,394,251.92.
Breakdown of the seizures includes 32,449 parcels of Cannabis Sativa including Colorado and Ghana Loud, 50 sacks of raw cannabis, 19,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 8,787 cartons of spaghetti, 11,578 bags of foreign parboiled rice equivalent to 12 truckloads, 6,453 kegs of vegetable oil, 6 live pangolins, 2,128 live cartridges, 1,315 Riodin explosives, 2 revolver pistols, 11 Dane guns, 2 locally-made pistols, 5 camouflage complete sets, 32 mixed camouflage inner wears, 32 camouflage tops, 197 camouflage trousers, and 7 foreign used vehicles including a 2026 Range Rover P530 Autobiography.
Beyond seizures, Afeni said as Chairman of the Joint Border Security Forum, the Command sustained robust synergy with sister agencies, leading to the handing over of seized illicit drugs to NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command, and arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
He highlighted Corporate Social Responsibility and environmental initiatives undertaken by the Command, including the sponsorship of the AFENI Cup inter-school football tournament at Iko Gateway Grammar School in July 2026 to promote discipline and discourage youth involvement in smuggling, and participation in inter-command athletic competitions where the Command emerged volleyball champion in August and September 2026.
The Command also launched a Green Border and Environmental Sustainability afforestation initiative with the planting of hundreds of trees along critical border corridors.
Afeni further disclosed that two major infrastructure projects executed under the Comptroller-General’s CSR initiative have been completed and will soon be commissioned: the complete overhaul of Igiri High School, Ijofin in Ipokia LGA, including classroom blocks, principal’s office and sanitary facilities, and a newly constructed jetty at Ijofin to boost riverine transportation and support local trade.
He said the achievements were made possible by harmonious relationships with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youths and host communities, and thanked the CGC, management, officers and men, and all stakeholders for their support.
Quoting Saint Paul, he said: “I have run with perseverance and have finished the race (here in Ogun I).”
Ibrahim Pledges Firm, Intelligence-Driven Operations
In his acceptance speech, the new Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller AA Ibrahim, said he assumed office with humility and a deep sense of responsibility, thanking Almighty Allah and the Comptroller-General for the confidence reposed in him.
Ibrahim pledged to uphold professionalism, integrity, discipline and ethical conduct in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and to advance the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General.
He commended his predecessor for raising the bar in revenue, anti-smuggling and community engagement, noting that Afeni left a legacy worthy of emulation.
Describing Ogun I as a unique and demanding operational environment with extensive borders and vibrant economic activities, Ibrahim said his focus would be on consolidating gains in community relations, operational efficiency, intelligence-led enforcement, CSR, trade facilitation and stakeholder collaboration.
He urged officers and men to remain disciplined, professional and responsive, stressing that success will depend on teamwork and adherence to ethical standards.
To traditional rulers and operators in the Igolo-Idiroko corridor, Ibrahim assured of an open-door policy aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and legitimate economic activities.
He however issued a stern warning to smugglers and economic saboteurs, saying: “Under my leadership, the Command will not tolerate acts of economic sabotage. We shall employ all lawful and legitimate means at our disposal to combat smuggling, protect government revenue and ensure compliance with extant trade laws. Our approach will be firm, fair, professional and intelligence-driven.”
He solicited the support, cooperation and prayers of all stakeholders to take the Command to greater heights.
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