Seme Border Customs Intercepts 3,300 Explosives, Records N19.84billion Revenue in 7 Months
By Ogheneyovwe Favour Edomi
The Seme Customs Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, under the control of Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila
on August 11, took some journalists round the Command to show case the seizures that Officers of the Customs command made between May and July. Among the seizures were 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, a truck load of expired noodles and other smuggled goods valued at N365.16 million.
Also, following credible intelligence, officers of the Seme Area Command intercepted a truck that was deceptively declared to be carrying food items. But acting on intelligence and sustained surveillance, officers of the command subjected the consignment to thorough examination and uncovered 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilograms.
According to Kaila “What was discovered was deeply disturbing because many of the products had already deteriorated and were visibly decomposing. Intelligence further revealed that the intention of the smugglers was to repackage, relabel and introduce these products into Nigerian markets for unsuspecting consumers.”
Furthermore Kaila noted that ” Had this shipment succeeded in gaining entrance to the Nigeria market, countless families would have been exposed to serious health hazards ranging from food poisoning and gastrointestinal diseases to other life-threatening medical complications”
It was a joyful Compt Kaila who told journalists that by intercepting these products, the Nigeria Customs Service has once again demonstrated that border security is also a form of public health protection. He was equally excited about the seizure of the explosives. According to Kaila “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. Considering the sensitive nature of the seizure, the explosive materials have already been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation”.
Curiously, in separate enforcement operations conducted across different flashpoints within Seme area, the Command also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, smuggled through illegal routes. Also, in the fight against illicit drugs, 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.
Compt Kaila warned that the illicit drugs are dangerous products capable of destroying lives, fuel criminality and undermines the future of the young people of Nigeria.
Through the interception of the drugs, the Seme Area Command Controller said his men have disrupted criminal supply chains and prevented these dangerous products from reaching communities across the Lagos and beyond.
According to Kaila “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”.
The renewed resolve to fight smuggling and cross-border crimes using intelligence equally paid off when the Seme Area Command made a seizure of
One used speedboat One used Water Bike, One used Toyota Land Cruiser (2017 Model)One used Toyota RAV4 (2016 Model) andOne used Nissan Versa (2010 Model)The Duty Paid Value of all items on display is ₦365,163,709.
Comptroller Kaila also disclosed that the Seme-Krake border generated ₦19,840,280,788.50 between January and July 2026, as against the total revenue of ₦15,941,258,676.01 generated in twelve months period of January to December of 2025. Meaning that within only seven months, the command has surpassed its entire twelve-month revenue profile of 2025 by N3,899,022,112.49, representing a 24.45 percent increase.
This achievement recorded by Kaila and his men at Seme Customs command between May and July demonstrates that effective enforcement and efficient trade facilitation are not only complementary responsibilities, it reflects the dedication and resilience of officers and men of the Seme Area Command, who according to Kaila continue to work tirelessly to protect the country from economic saboteurs and transnational criminal networks.
No wonder, Kaila warned “those engaged in smuggling activities, our message remains unequivocal, Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage”.
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