By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted prohibited and smuggled goods with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N365.16 million, including expired noodles, explosives, illicit drugs, foreign rice and other restricted items.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, disclosed this on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at a press briefing at the Seme Border in Badagry, Lagos State.
Kaila said the seizures were the outcome of intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting national security, public health, domestic industries and government revenue.
One of the major interceptions was 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50kg.
The consignment, which was falsely declared as food items, was intercepted after Customs officers subjected it to detailed examination based on credible intelligence.
According to Kaila, the products were already decomposing and intelligence indicated that they were intended to be repackaged and relabelled for sale to unsuspecting Nigerians.
The command also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, weighing 50kg each, allegedly smuggled into the country through illegal routes.
Kaila said the seizure would help protect local rice production and support the Federal Government’s food security policies while preventing revenue losses.
The Seme Command also seized 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg and 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes, which the controller said were capable of undermining public health and evading statutory duties and regulatory controls.
He said the seized illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be handed over to the NDLEA and NAFDAC for further investigation and necessary action.
Kaila also disclosed that Customs intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being illegally transported through the Seme border corridor.
He described the seizure as a major national security intervention, noting that such materials could potentially be used to facilitate terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.
The explosives, alongside one suspect, have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.
Seme Customs revenue rises to N19.84bn
Beyond its enforcement activities, the command recorded a significant increase in revenue generation.
Kaila said Seme Customs generated N19.84 billion between January and July 2026, compared with N15.94 billion generated throughout 2025.
The seven-month performance represents an increase of N3.90 billion, or 24.45 per cent, over the command’s entire 2025 revenue collection.
He attributed the improvement to enhanced compliance, stakeholder engagement and stronger operational efficiency.
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Other items intercepted during the enforcement operations included one used speedboat, one used water bike, a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, a 2016 Toyota RAV4 and a 2010 Nissan Versa.
Kaila warned smugglers that the command would sustain its intelligence-led operations against economic sabotage and cross-border criminal activities.
He said the Seme Area Command remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade, supporting Nigeria’s economic reforms and promoting regional commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
