Customs seizes 56 containers of prohibited goods worth N5.53bn

…as service vows to protect farmers, manufacturers from unfair import competition

By Adebola Muili

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 56 containers loaded with prohibited goods with a total duty paid value of N5.53 billion, as the Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting local farmers, manufacturers and businesses from imports capable of undermining domestic production.

The seizures comprised 45 20-foot containers of foreign vegetable oil, nine 40-foot containers of used clothing and two 20-foot containers of Channy tomato paste.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, while briefing newsmen at the Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne, Rivers State.

A statement made available to journalists on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, DCG Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, quoted Adeniyi as saying the seizures were the outcome of intelligence-driven and risk-based operations aimed at preventing prohibited, restricted and improperly declared consignments from entering the Nigerian market.

“The intervention formed part of intelligence-driven and risk-based operations aimed at preventing prohibited, restricted and improperly declared consignments from entering the Nigerian market, thereby crippling the overall productivity of our local businesses,” Adeniyi said.

He explained that unchecked importation of products that could be produced or processed locally places additional pressure on Nigerian farmers, manufacturers and other domestic producers by exposing them to unfair competition, weakening demand for locally produced goods and discouraging investment across domestic value chains.

According to him, the economic implications were particularly significant for the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, where large-scale importation of products that Nigeria has the capacity to produce or process could undermine efforts to strengthen local industries, improve food security, create employment and diversify the economy.

“The economic impact is especially significant in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Large-scale importation of products that Nigeria can produce or process may undermine the Federal Government’s efforts to promote local industries, strengthen food security, create jobs, and diversify the economy,” the CGC said.

Adeniyi, however, stressed that Customs enforcement was not intended to frustrate legitimate businesses, but to maintain a fair, secure and predictable trading environment for compliant importers and other stakeholders.

He said the Service’s risk-based approach enabled it to facilitate legitimate cargo while subjecting consignments considered high-risk to enhanced scrutiny.

The Comptroller-General commended the Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt II Area Command, Comptroller Aliyu Alkali, and officers of the command for the interceptions.

He also advised importers and other stakeholders to establish the admissibility of their intended imports before commencing transactions, urging them to make accurate declarations on the description, quantity, value, origin and classification of goods.

The NCS said the seizure of the consignments was in line with the Federal Government’s broader economic objectives, particularly policies aimed at promoting made-in-Nigeria products and strengthening domestic production.