Seme Customs Generates ₦9.7bn Revenue, Seizes Cannabis, Smuggled Goods Worth N501m
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has announced a major increase in revenue generation and a series of significant anti-smuggling seizures, including narcotics, unregistered pharmaceutical products, foreign rice and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), within two months of intensified operations.
Speaking during a media briefing held on Monday at the Command headquarters, the Customs Area Controller, Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed that the Command generated ₦9.798 billion in revenue between March 2026 and May 2026.
According to him, the figure represents an increase of ₦7.61 billion when compared to the ₦2.188 billion generated during the corresponding period in 2025, amounting to a 448 per cent growth rate.
Kaila attributed the impressive performance to strengthened compliance measures, improved collaboration with stakeholders, intensified efforts against revenue leakages and enhanced operational efficiency through the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
He said the dedication and vigilance of officers and men of the Command also played a critical role in the achievement, adding that the Command remained committed to sustaining the momentum through intelligence-driven monitoring and transparent trade procedures.
The Controller described the Seme border corridor as one of Nigeria’s busiest and most strategic land border formations, particularly under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
He noted that the Command had intensified engagement with licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, transport unions, importers, exporters, traditional institutions and sister security agencies in a bid to simplify clearance procedures, improve compliance and facilitate legitimate trade.
Kaila added that Customs officers had continued to support Small and Medium Enterprises by providing guidance on export documentation and regulatory compliance processes, in line with the Federal Government’s economic diversification and non-oil export agenda.
On anti-smuggling operations, the Customs boss revealed that intelligence-led patrols along the Seme-Badagry corridor and adjoining routes resulted in the interception of several prohibited and restricted items.
Among the seizures were 1,000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, which he said contravened provisions of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act and the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
He disclosed that the narcotics would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.
The Command also intercepted various unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs lacking certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
The seized products included cartons of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup, Super Sexy Sildenafil Citrate, Machine Man Sildenafil Citrate, Bottom Up Sildenafil Citrate, Tramaking and Tempendol.
Kaila said the items violated provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and would be handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for regulatory action.
In separate enforcement operations, the Command also seized 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of vegetable oil, 103 kegs of PMS, 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti and 250 bales of used clothing.
He put the total Duty Paid Value of the seized items at ₦501.845 million.
The Customs Area Controller warned smugglers and their collaborators to desist from illegal activities, stressing that the Seme Area Command would not serve as a safe haven for illicit trade.
According to him, the Command has strengthened its intelligence network, improved surveillance along land and maritime routes and intensified collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies to combat trans-border crimes and economic sabotage.
He also urged compliant traders and legitimate business operators to continue embracing lawful trade channels and utilise available trade facilitation and dispute-resolution mechanisms for seamless business operations.
Kaila commended officers and men of the Command for their resilience and professionalism, while also appreciating stakeholders, host communities and the media for their continued support and partnership.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to balancing revenue generation with trade facilitation, border security and national economic development.
