Nigeria Customs collects N9.8b revenue at Seme Border

The Customs Area Controller of the Seme Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, says, from March to May 25, 2026, the command generated a total revenue of ₦9,798,938,969 into the coffers of the government.

This figure, according to Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, represents an increase of ₦7,610,533,220 when compared to the sum of ₦2,188,405,749 collected within the corresponding period in 2025.

Kaila added that the figure translates to an impressive growth rate of 448 percent, attributable to strengthened compliance mechanisms, improved stakeholder cooperation, intensified anti-revenue leakage measures, enhanced operational efficiency, and the strategic deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.

“The renewed dedication, vigilance demonstrated by officers and men of the Command have also contributed immensely to this performance. We remain committed to sustaining these gains through institutional reforms, intelligence-driven monitoring, and transparent trade procedures capable of guaranteeing continuous revenue growth without obstructing legitimate trade activities,” said Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila while addressing the media on the activities of the command since he assumed office in March.

In the area of anti-smuggling operations, the Controller said the command, within the last two months, coordinated patrols and surveillance operations along the Seme-Badagry corridor and adjoining routes resulted in the interception of several prohibited and restricted items.

Notable among the items seized were 1000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and various sexual enhancement drugs lacking certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The products seized included one carton containing 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup (100ml each), 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine (30ml each), 10 cartons of Ultimate Plus Maca Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Super Sexy Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Machine Man Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, quantities of Bottom Up Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 100 packs of Tramaking, and 100 packs of Tempendol.

According to him, these items contravene the provisions of Section 55(1)(c) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the laws all laws that established the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the NAFDAC.

Kaila said these unregistered drug products will also be formally handed over to NAFDAC for appropriate regulatory action.

He added that the command recorded significant seizures of other prohibited and restricted goods in separate enforcement operations. These include 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil, 103 kegs of 30 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bales of used clothing and the Duty Paid Value of all the aforementioned intercepted items is 501,845,772 Naira.

“These seizures underscore the command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and reaffirm our determination to protect the nation’s economy, support local industries, preserve public safety, and enforce compliance with extant import and export regulations.

“Let me use this opportunity to issue a strong warning to smugglers and their collaborators that the Seme Area Command will not serve as a safe haven for illicit trade. The Command has significantly strengthened its intelligence network, enhanced surveillance capacity across land and maritime routes, and intensified collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies to combat trans-border crimes and economic sabotage.

“To compliant traders and legitimate business operators, I wish to reiterate that compliance remains the safest, fastest, and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade. We encourage stakeholders to continue utilising our trade facilitation platforms and dispute-resolution mechanisms for seamless business operations,” said he.

In line with the trade facilitation, the Command, according to the Controller, has intensified engagement with critical stakeholders including licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, transport unions, importers, exporters, traditional institutions, and sister security agencies operating within the corridor.

“Through sustained stakeholder consultations and regular interface meetings, the command has addressed operational bottlenecks, simplified clearance procedures, improved compliance awareness, and strengthened mutual trust between the Service and the trading public. Our officers continue to provide guidance and support to Small and Medium Enterprises seeking access to regional and international markets, particularly in export documentation and regulatory compliance processes.

“These initiatives are directly aligned with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, promotion of non-oil exports, and ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking. At Seme Area Command, we remain resolute in our commitment to facilitating lawful trade while ensuring strict enforcement against illicit activities capable of undermining national economic interests,” Kaila said.