Nigeria Customs generates ₦19.8b, seizes items worth ₦365.2m at Seme Border

The Nigeria Customs Service has disclosed that it generated a total ₦19,840,280,788.50 revenue through its Seme Area Command, Badagry, Lagos State, between January and July, 2026. In the same period in 2025 at the command, it generated ₦15,941,258,676.01.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu, said the revenue feat reflects improved compliance, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and strengthened operational efficiency.

Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila made this known evenue at the headquarters of the command at the Seme Border while showcasing the smuggled items seized by the officers of the command.

On the revenue, Kaila said “this means that within only seven months, the Command has surpassed its entire twelve-month revenue collection for 2025 by ₦3,899,022,112.49, representing a 24.45 per cent increase.”

The Controller noted that following credible intelligence, his officers intercepted a truck that was deceptively declared to be carrying food items and acting on intelligence and sustained surveillance, the consignment was subjected to a thorough examination and uncovered 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilograms.

According to him, “What was discovered was deeply disturbing because many of the products had already deteriorated and were visibly decomposing. Intelligence further revealed that the intention was to repackage, relabel and introduce these products into Nigerian markets for unsuspecting consumers.

“Had this shipment succeeded, countless families would have been exposed to serious health hazards ranging from food poisoning and gastrointestinal diseases to other life-threatening medical complications.

“By intercepting these products, the Nigeria Customs Service has once again demonstrated that border security is also a form of public health protection. Every child, every family and every Nigerian has been protected from what could have become a silent public health disaster.”

He added “Furthermore, in separate enforcement operations conducted across different flashpoints within our area of responsibility, the Command also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, smuggled through illegal routes. Beyond denying government legitimate revenue, such illicit importation undermines the Federal Government’s agricultural policies, discourages local rice production and threatens the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.”

He further informed that the command also seized illicit drugs including 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.

Other items intercepted were 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 Duty Paid Value of all the seized items was ₦365,163,709.

“The fight against illicit drugs remains one of the Service’s critical contributions to national security and public safety.  These are not ordinary commodities, they are dangerous products capable of destroying lives, fueling criminality, encouraging substance abuse and undermining the future of our young people.

“The illicit drugs intercepted are often linked to cultism, armed robbery, violent crimes and other social vices, while smuggled cigarettes evade health regulations, avoid payment of statutory duties and expose consumers to products outside approved quality standards.

“Through these interceptions, the Seme Area Command has disrupted criminal supply chains and prevented these dangerous products from reaching our communities.

“To those engaged in smuggling activities, our message remains unequivocal, Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,” said he.

Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila noted that the illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be handed over will be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and necessary action, while the explosive materials (along with one suspect) had already been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit due to their highly sensitive nature.

“We remain committed to supporting the Federal Government’s economic reforms, promoting regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), facilitating compliant trade and ensuring that smugglers have no safe haven within our area of responsibility.

“This achievement demonstrates that effective enforcement and efficient trade facilitation are complementary responsibilities. While we continue to deny smugglers opportunities to undermine the economy, we remain equally committed to creating an enabling environment for compliant traders to conduct legitimate business with ease and predictability,” said Kaila who appreciated all other sister security and government regulatory bodies for their unwavering cooperation, intelligence sharing and commitment to national security.