Nigeria Customs recover 19th-Century Artefacts
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted two rare 19th-century artefacts alongside other prohibited items valued at ₦1.35 billion, and the artefacts subsequently handed over to the National Museum for preservation in Abeokuta.
Penpushing reports that the Acting Area Comptroller Idiroko Area 1 Command Olukayode Afeni made this known at a press conference held at the command headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.
The Comptroller emphasized that the command will continue to intensify anti-smuggling operations along the Nigeria–Benin border, explaining that the recovered artefacts, believed to be of significant historical importance, were subjected to expert appraisal before the handing over.
Penpushing further reports that Afeni stated that the interception of the artefacts reflects the command’s resolve to curb the illicit trafficking of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, in addition to protecting the nation’s economy and borders.
The customs boss in similar development disclosed that the command during the period under review improved in its revenue generation of ₦285,652,469, exceeding the ₦259,265,495 recorded within the same period in 2025.
Penpushing also reports that he explained that the improvement on revenue generation was as a result of improved baggage assessment, auction sales of seized petroleum products, and strict enforcement of customs fiscal policies.
The Comptroller, however, listed out other seized items during the operations which include 5,455 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totalling 13,625 litres, 1,204 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 2,539 jerrycans of smuggled vegetable oil, 4,325 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 2,547 parcels of cannabis sativa of various sizes.
Penpushing reports that others are second-hand clothing and footwear, imported sugar, used tyres, pharmaceutical products, perfume oil, two used vehicles, and four live pangolins, adding that the seized cannabis consignments were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Idiroko Special Command.
The customs boss added that the seized live pangolins were transferred to wildlife conservation authorities, explaining that the seizures align with the economic protection and border security mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in safeguarding local industries, public health, and national heritage.
Penpushing further reports that Afeni affirmed the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the command, with assurance that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to combat smuggling and related crimes.
The Comptroller equally disclosed that that the command also recorded progress in export activities, facilitating the movement of 95 metric tonnes of goods valued at ₦305,749,064 free-on-board, compared to zero exports recorded during the same period in 2025.
Penpushing also reports that he praised traditional rulers, host communities, sister security agencies, and the media for their cooperation, with pledge that the command would sustain strict enforcement and collaboration to boost revenue, secure the borders, and preserve Nigeria’s cultural assets.
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