BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has recorded a major boost in revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations, raking in nearly ₦9.8 billion while intercepting contraband goods valued at over ₦500 million within two months.
Speaking during his first official press briefing since assuming office on March 18, 2026, the Customs Area Controller, Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed that the command generated a total of ₦9,798,938,969 between March and May 2026.
According to him, the figure represents an increase of ₦7.61 billion compared to the ₦2.18 billion generated during the same period in 2025 — a remarkable 448 per cent growth.
Kaila attributed the sharp rise in revenue to intensified anti-revenue leakage measures, stricter compliance enforcement, stronger stakeholder collaboration, and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
On anti-smuggling operations, the comptroller revealed that officers intercepted 800 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa allegedly smuggled from Ghana, describing the seizure as a violation of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act and Section 245(1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The command also confiscated large quantities of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs that lacked approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
Items seized included 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maker Syrup, 88 packs of “99 Bullets” herbal medicine, 10 cartons of Ultimate Plus Maker Sedal, 14 cartons each of Super Sexy, Machine Man, and Citrate 200mg, as well as 100 packs each of Tramartine and Campendol.
Kaila explained that the pharmaceutical products contravened Section 55(1)(c) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, adding that they would be handed over to NAFDAC for further regulatory action.
Other items intercepted during separate operations included 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of foreign vegetable oil, 103 kegs of premium motor spirit, 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bags of used clothing.
The cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seized items was put at ₦500,001,845.77.
Describing the operation as part of the command’s zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and economic sabotage, Kaila said the achievements reflected the renewed dedication and vigilance of officers and men of the command.
“These enforcement actions are aimed at protecting local industries, safeguarding public health, preserving national security, and enforcing compliance with import and export regulations,” he stated.
He also warned smugglers and criminal networks operating along the Seme border corridor that the command would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration to combat trans-border crimes.
Six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and later released on administrative bail.
The seized cannabis and unregistered pharmaceutical products were subsequently handed over to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and NAFDAC during the press briefing.
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