The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a significant rise in revenue generation alongside major anti-smuggling operations that led to the seizure of drugs, unregistered pharmaceuticals, and other contraband goods valued at ₦501.8 million within two months.
The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed this on Monday during a media briefing held at the Seme Area Command Headquarters, noting that the Command generated a total of ₦9.79 billion between March 2026 and date.
He explained that the figure represents a 448 percent increase when compared to ₦2.18 billion recorded within the corresponding period in 2025, attributing the growth to improved compliance mechanisms, intensified anti-revenue leakage efforts, stakeholder cooperation, and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
Kaila said the Command’s strategic location along the Seme border corridor remains central to regional trade under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), adding that sustained engagement with stakeholders has helped improve trade facilitation and compliance awareness.
On enforcement operations, he revealed that officers intercepted 1,000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa within the period under review, with the seized narcotics to be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.
He further disclosed the seizure of various unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based syrups and sildenafil citrate drugs, as well as other herbal mixtures and enhancement medications without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
Other intercepted items include 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of vegetable oil, 103 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 993 cartons of spaghetti, and 250 bales of used clothing, all with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦501,845,772.
The Customs boss warned smugglers and their collaborators to stay away from the Seme corridor, stressing that intelligence-led operations, surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration had been strengthened to curb economic sabotage and trans-border crimes.
He added that legitimate traders would continue to enjoy improved trade facilitation processes and urged stakeholders to comply with regulations to avoid disruptions in their business operations.
Kaila commended officers and men of the Command for their discipline and dedication, while also appreciating stakeholders and host communities for their cooperation.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to balancing revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security in line with the reform agenda of the Federal Government.
