The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme border command has disclosed that following credible intelligence, its officers intercepted a truck that was deceptively declared to be carrying food items, whilst, following intelligence and sustained surveillance, thorough examination, it was discovered to be carrying 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, with each weighing 50 kilograms.
Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, Customs Area Controller, Seme command made the disclosure during a press briefing in Lagos.
Aside that, the Controller disclosed that several other smuggled goods including hard drugs were intercepted and seized.
CAC Kaila also said that in revenue generation, the command netted N19.84 billion between January and July, 2026.
He said that in separate enforcement operations conducted across different flashpoints within his area of responsibility, the Command intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, smuggled through illegal routes, asserting that 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 averred that the fight against illicit drugs remains one of the Service’s critical contributions to national security and public safety, adding that in pursuant to this, 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.
“Among the seizures displayed today is one that poses perhaps the greatest threat to national security. Our officers intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being illegally conveyed through the border corridor. Explosives of this nature have devastating consequences when they fall into the hands of criminal elements. They have the potential to facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes capable of threatening national peace and security. The successful interception of these explosives demonstrates the vigilance, professionalism and intelligence-driven operations of our officers, working in close collaboration with sister security agencies.”
Speaking on the revenue generation and trade facilitation, Comptroller Kaila emphasised that while enforcement remains highly visible, it represents only one dimension of the command’s statutory responsibilities, highlighting that the second is facilitating legitimate trade while generating revenue for national development.
“In 2025, the Seme area command generated a total revenue of N15,941,258,676.01. That achievement reflected improved compliance, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and strengthened operational efficiency. Yet our revenue performance in 2026 has been even more remarkable.”
He said that between January and July 2026, the Command generated N19,840,280,788.50.
This, according to him, means that within only seven months, the Command had surpassed its entire twelve-month revenue collection for 2025 by N3,899,022,112.49, representing a 24.45 per cent increase.
This achievement demonstrated 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.”
“I must emphasize that our renewed resolve to fight smuggling and cross-border crimes using intelligence is paying off and continues to disrupt the activities of those bent on sabotaging our economy.”
As part of its anti-smuggling efforts, the Command 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 Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all items on display according to him is N365,163,709.
He warned smugglers to desist from their nefarious activities, saying that those who engaged in smuggling would not find Seme as safe corridor for economic sabotage.
“Today, we are gathered not merely to display seizures, but to tell the story behind them. Every interception made by this Command represents a deliberate choice between patriotism and greed, between lawful trade and criminality, between protecting Nigerians and allowing dangerous goods to infiltrate our borders.
“The items displayed before you are more than confiscated contraband. They are evidence of the collaboration, professionalism and commitment of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service to protecting our nation. Every seizure recorded reflects our resolve to secure Nigeria’s borders, facilitate legitimate trade, generate revenue for national development and deny criminal networks the opportunity to undermine our economy, security and public health.”
He noted that these seizures directly concern the health and well-being of millions of Nigerians, adding that the achievements reflected the dedication and resilience of officers and men of the Seme Area Command, who continue to work tirelessly in protecting the nation from economic saboteurs and transnational criminal networks.
“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.”
Comptroller Kaila assured that the illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products seized by the Command would 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) have already been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit due to their highly sensitive nature.
He appreciated all the sister security and government regulatory bodies for their unwavering cooperation, intelligence sharing and commitment to national security.
