Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its anti-smuggling operations, intercepting contraband with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦365.16 million, including explosives, illicit drugs, expired noodles, foreign rice and other prohibited goods.
The Controller of the Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, disclosed this on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, while briefing journalists and stakeholders on the Command’s recent enforcement activities at the Seme Border.
Kaila said the seizures were the outcome of intelligence-driven operations, sustained surveillance and collaboration with sister security and regulatory agencies, stressing that the Command would continue to frustrate attempts by criminal elements to exploit Nigeria’s borders.
He said the interceptions demonstrated that border security was not limited to preventing smuggling but also involved protecting public health, safeguarding national security, facilitating legitimate trade and supporting Nigeria’s economic development.
One of the major seizures involved a truck deceptively declared to contain food items.
Acting on credible intelligence, Customs officers subjected the consignment to thorough examination and discovered 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.
According to the Controller, several of the products had deteriorated and were visibly decomposing, while intelligence indicated that the consignment was allegedly intended to be repackaged and relabelled for sale to unsuspecting consumers in Nigerian markets.
He described the interception as a significant public health intervention, noting that the successful seizure prevented potentially harmful food products from entering the domestic market.
“Border security is also a form of public health protection. By intercepting these products, we have protected families and communities from the potential consequences of consuming unsafe food,” he said.
The Command also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, with each bag weighing 50 kilogrammes, during separate enforcement operations conducted at various flashpoints within its area of responsibility.
Kaila said the smuggling of foreign rice not only deprives government of legitimate revenue but also undermines policies designed to promote domestic agricultural production and support Nigerian farmers.
In its continued campaign against illicit drugs and harmful substances, the Command intercepted:
- 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa;
- 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg;
- 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg; and
- 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.
The Controller described the seized items as dangerous products capable of causing significant harm to individuals and communities.
He stressed that the interception of the illicit drugs had helped disrupt criminal supply chains and prevented the substances from reaching Nigerian communities.
He added that the seizure of smuggled cigarettes also protected consumers from products that bypass statutory health and regulatory requirements.
In what the Command described as one of its most sensitive interceptions, officers seized 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being illegally conveyed through the border corridor.
Kaila said the potential consequences of such materials falling into the hands of criminal elements could be grave, given their possible use in violent crimes and other security threats.
He disclosed that the explosive materials had already been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.
The Controller attributed the successful interception to the vigilance and professionalism of Customs personnel, as well as effective intelligence sharing and cooperation among security agencies.
As part of its broader anti-smuggling operations, the Command also intercepted:
- One used speedboat;
- One used water bike;
- One used Toyota Land Cruiser, 2017 model;
- One used Toyota RAV4, 2016 model; and
- One used Nissan Versa, 2010 model.
The total Duty Paid Value of the items displayed stood at ₦365,163,709.
Kaila issued a firm warning to smugglers and other economic saboteurs, declaring that the Seme corridor would remain under close surveillance.
“Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage.”
Beyond enforcement, the Seme Area Command recorded a significant improvement in revenue collection.
The Command generated ₦15,941,258,676.01 in 2025, while between January and July 2026, it collected ₦19,840,280,788.50.
This means that in just seven months of 2026, the Command surpassed its entire 2025 revenue performance by ₦3,899,022,112.49, representing a 24.45 per cent increase.
Kaila attributed the performance to improved compliance, enhanced stakeholder engagement and strengthened operational efficiency.
He stressed that enforcement and trade facilitation were not competing responsibilities but complementary elements of the Customs Service’s mandate.
According to him, while the Command would continue to frustrate smuggling activities, it would equally remain committed to creating an enabling environment where compliant traders could conduct legitimate cross-border business with greater ease and predictability.
The Controller reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic reforms, facilitating legitimate regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ensuring that the border remains hostile to smuggling and transnational criminal activities.
He disclosed that the seized illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and appropriate action.
The explosive materials, together with one suspect, had already been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit because of their highly sensitive nature.
Kaila commended sister security and regulatory agencies for their continued cooperation, intelligence sharing and commitment to protecting Nigeria’s national interests.