Enforcement Meets Facilitation as Seme Customs Secures Borders and Boosts Revenue

Enforcement Meets Facilitation as Seme Customs Secures Borders and Boosts Revenue

By prince Benson Davies

 

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has recorded significant anti-smuggling and revenue results in the first seven months of 2026, with major seizures of dangerous goods and a 24 per cent increase in revenue collection.

Addressing journalists at the Command headquarters, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, said the achievements were driven by intelligence-led operations aimed at curbing smuggling, cross-border crimes, and threats to public health and national security.

Within the period under review, the Command intercepted contraband with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦365.16 million. The seizures included 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, 1,306 sacks of expired and decomposing noodles, 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, and various illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals.

Comptroller Kaila described the interception of the explosives as a critical security intervention. He said the cartridges were being illegally conveyed through the border corridor and could have been used to facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes. The explosives and one suspect have been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for further investigation.

In another operation, officers intercepted a truck falsely declared to be carrying food items. Upon inspection, it was found to contain 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, 50kg each. Intelligence revealed the goods were meant to be repackaged and relabeled for sale to unsuspecting consumers.
“Every child, every family and every Nigerian has been protected from what could have become a silent public health disaster,” Kaila stated, noting that border security is also public health protection.

The Command also seized 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice allegedly smuggled through illegal routes. Kaila said such smuggling deprives government of revenue, undermines agricultural policies, discourages local production and threatens Nigerian farmers.

Other seizures include 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg, and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes. The drugs and unregistered pharmaceuticals will be handed over to the NDLEA and NAFDAC for further action.

Also displayed were one fairly used speedboat, one water bike, one 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, one 2016 Toyota RAV4, and one 2010 Nissan Versa. The total Duty Paid Value for all displayed seizures is ₦365,163,703.

On enforcement, the Controller issued a strong warning to smugglers.
“Those engaged in smuggling activities, our message remains unequivocal. Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,” he said. He added that the Command has strengthened intelligence, surveillance and rapid response to block all illegal entry points.

On revenue, Seme Command generated ₦19,840,280,788.50 between January and July 2026. This surpasses the entire 2025 collection of ₦15,941,258,676.01 and represents an increase of ₦3,899,022,112.49, or 24.45 per cent.

Kaila attributed the growth to enhanced trader compliance, stronger stakeholder engagement, and improved operational efficiency.
“This achievement shows that effective enforcement and trade facilitation can complement each other to support national economic development,” he said.

He assured compliant traders of a transparent environment for legitimate cross-border business, while reiterating the Command’s resolve to deny smugglers access to the corridor. He also reaffirmed support for federal economic reforms and regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

Concluding, Comptroller Kaila commended sister security and regulatory agencies for their cooperation and intelligence sharing, and appreciated the media for promoting transparency and accountability in Customs operations.

He pledged that the Command will sustain its tempo to secure the border, protect public health and safety, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s revenue drive.