Aseyin Backs Customs Anti-Smuggling Drive, Pledges Stronger Community Support

By Stella Okocha 

The Aseyin of Iseyin Land, Oba Dr. Sefiu Olawale Adeyeri III, has pledged the continued support and cooperation of the Iseyin community to the Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command, in its efforts to combat smuggling, improve compliance and strengthen security.

The monarch made the commitment on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when he led his entourage on a courtesy visit to the Command, where he was received by the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, and members of the Command’s management team.

Oba Adeyeri said the visit was also to reciprocate the courtesy visit paid to the Iseyin community by Adewole during his stakeholder engagements with traditional institutions across the Command.

The monarch commended the Acting Controller for what he described as his achievements in revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations, assuring the Command of the community’s continued partnership in achieving its operational objectives.

He also pledged that the Iseyin community would support efforts to sensitise residents on the dangers of smuggling and other forms of trans-border crime.

Oba Adeyeri particularly praised Adewole for recognising the importance of traditional institutions in the fight against smuggling and in strengthening community relations.

He noted the Controller’s engagements with prominent traditional rulers, including the Alaafin of Oyo, Soun of Ogbomoso, Iba of Kishi, Okere of Saki and Onigbeti of Igbeti, among others.

The monarch said such engagements were important in building trust, improving information sharing and strengthening cooperation between the Customs Service and communities within its operational jurisdiction.

Responding, Adewole expressed appreciation to the Aseyin and his entourage for the visit, describing it as significant because the monarch was the first traditional ruler to pay a courtesy visit to the Command since his assumption of office as Acting Customs Area Controller.

The Acting Controller reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining cordial relations with traditional institutions, community leaders and other critical stakeholders.

He stressed that effective collaboration with host communities remained important to promoting voluntary compliance, curbing smuggling and enhancing security across the Command.

The visit, according to the Command, further demonstrated the growing importance of community–Customs partnerships in supporting revenue collection, trade compliance, security and the broader mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.