Abayomi Susan
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, generated N19.84 billion in revenue between January and July 2026, surpassing the N15.94 billion collected throughout 2025.
The Command also intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, alongside expired food products, illicit drugs, foreign rice and other prohibited items with a combined Duty Paid Value of N365.16 million.
The Seme Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos State.
Kaila attributed the revenue growth to improved compliance, stronger stakeholder engagement, enhanced operational efficiency and intensified anti-smuggling efforts.
He said the explosive materials and one suspect had been handed over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force for safe custody and further investigation.
The Command also seized 1,306 sacks of expired noodles, weighing 50kg each, after intelligence-led surveillance uncovered the consignment. According to Kaila, the products were allegedly being transported for possible repackaging and relabelling before being sold to unsuspecting consumers.
Other seizures included 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, pharmaceutical products and 310,000 sticks of cigarettes, as well as vehicles and watercraft. The Customs Service said the seizures helped disrupt illegal supply chains and protect government revenue and public health.
Kaila warned smugglers and other economic saboteurs that the Command had intensified intelligence-driven operations and would continue working with other security agencies to tackle smuggling along the border corridor.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, supporting the Federal Government’s economic reforms and promoting regional commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Customs boss also commended sister security and regulatory agencies for their cooperation and intelligence sharing, while urging stakeholders to support efforts to maintain security and compliance along the Seme border.
