Command seizes illicit drugs, 1,268 bags foreign rice, other contraband worth N365.16m
By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, 1,306 sacks of expired and decomposing noodles, illicit drugs and other contraband with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦365.16 million.
The seizures were made in separate intelligence-driven operations at different flashpoints within the Command’s area of responsibility as the Customs authorities intensified efforts to curb smuggling and cross-border criminal activities.
The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, disclosed this on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during a press briefing at the Seme Border, Badagry, Lagos State.
Kaila said the 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials were intercepted while being illegally conveyed through the border corridor, describing the seizure as a significant intervention in protecting national security.
He said explosives of such nature could have devastating consequences if they fell into the hands of criminal elements, noting that they could be used to facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
According to him, the explosives, along with one suspect, had already been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.
The Customs boss also disclosed that officers intercepted a truck deceptively declared to be carrying food items but which was found to contain 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.
He said the products had deteriorated and were visibly decomposing, while intelligence indicated that they were allegedly intended to be repackaged, relabelled and introduced into Nigerian markets for unsuspecting consumers.
Kaila said the interception had prevented Nigerians from being exposed to potentially dangerous food products, stressing that border security was 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 said.
In separate enforcement operations, the Command also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, which were allegedly smuggled through illegal routes.
Kaila said such illicit importation deprived the government of legitimate revenue, undermined the Federal Government’s agricultural policies, discouraged local rice production and threatened the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.
The Command further seized 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.
According to the Comptroller, the seizures were part of the Service’s efforts to disrupt illicit drug supply chains and prevent dangerous substances from reaching Nigerian communities.
He said the illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and necessary action.
Other items seized by the Command included one used speedboat, one used water bike, one 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, one 2016 Toyota RAV4 and one 2010 Nissan Versa.
Kaila said the combined Duty Paid Value of all the items displayed was ₦365,163,709.
He warned smugglers that the Seme corridor would no longer provide a safe route for economic sabotage, stressing that the Command had intensified intelligence-led operations against smuggling and transnational criminal networks.
“Those engaged in smuggling activities, our message remains unequivocal, Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Command recorded a significant increase in revenue collection, generating ₦19.84 billion between January and July 2026.
Kaila said the Command generated ₦15,941,258,676.01 in 2025, but surpassed the entire 12-month figure within the first seven months of 2026.
According to him, the ₦19,840,280,788.50 collected between January and July 2026 represents an increase of ₦3,899,022,112.49, or 24.45 per cent, over the Command’s total revenue for 2025.
He attributed the improved performance to enhanced compliance, stronger stakeholder engagement and increased operational efficiency.
The Comptroller said the achievement demonstrated that effective enforcement and trade facilitation could complement each other in supporting national economic development.
He assured compliant traders of the Command’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for legitimate cross-border trade, while maintaining its resolve to deny smugglers and criminal networks access to the border corridor.
Kaila also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic reforms, promoting regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ensuring that smugglers had no safe haven within its area of responsibility.
He commended sister security and regulatory agencies for their cooperation and intelligence sharing, while appreciating the media for its continued role in informing Nigerians and promoting transparency and accountability in the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Discover more from SAFARI XPRESS NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Leave a Reply