The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday showcased a major haul of seizures that included 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, 1,306 sacks of expired and decomposing noodles, illicit drugs, foreign rice and vehicles, with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦365,163,709.
Addressing journalists at the Seme Border, Customs Area Controller Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila said the interceptions reflected intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting public health, national security and the Nigerian economy.
The most alarming seizure was 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilograms. The consignment had been deceptively declared as food items. Officers discovered that many of the products had already deteriorated and were visibly decomposing. Intelligence indicated the goods were to be repackaged, relabelled and sold to unsuspecting Nigerian consumers.
“Had this shipment succeeded, countless families would have been exposed to serious health hazards ranging from food poisoning and gastrointestinal diseases to other life-threatening medical complications,” Kaila said.
“By intercepting these products, the Nigeria Customs Service has once again demonstrated that border security is also a form of public health protection.”
In separate operations, the Command intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) smuggled through illegal routes. Kaila noted that such imports deny the government revenue, undermine agricultural policies and threaten the livelihoods of local rice farmers.
On the drug front, officers seized 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 Comptroller described these as dangerous products linked to cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes, while the smuggled cigarettes evade health regulations and quality standards.
The most sensitive seizure was 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials. Kaila warned that such items in the hands of criminal elements could facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other threats to national security. The explosives, along with one suspect, have already been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit.
Other items intercepted included one used speedboat, one used water bike, a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, a 2016 Toyota RAV4 and a 2010 Nissan Versa.
Beyond enforcement, the Command recorded strong revenue performance. Between January and July 2026, Seme Area Command generated ₦19,840,280,788.50, surpassing its entire 2025 collection of ₦15,941,258,676.01 by ₦3.899 billion — a 24.45 per cent increase.
“This achievement demonstrates that effective enforcement and efficient trade facilitation are complementary responsibilities,” Kaila stated.
“While we continue to deny smugglers opportunities to undermine the economy, we remain equally committed to creating an enabling environment for compliant traders.”
The illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products will be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Kaila thanked sister security and regulatory agencies for their cooperation and the media for its partnership in projecting the activities of the Service.
“The message remains unequivocal: Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,” he declared.
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