The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has recorded a major operational breakthrough, generating nearly ₦9.8 billion in revenue while intercepting smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) exceeding ₦500 million within two months.
Speaking during his maiden press briefing since assuming office on March 18, 2026, the Customs Area Controller, Abdullahi S. Kaila, described the achievement as a reflection of enhanced operational efficiency, intelligence-driven enforcement, and stronger collaboration with stakeholders.
Addressing journalists, officers, stakeholders, and members of the trading community at the Seme Area Command headquarters on Monday, Kaila disclosed that the command generated a total revenue of ₦9,798,938,969 between March and May 2026. He noted that the figure represented an increase of ₦7.61 billion when compared to the ₦2.18 billion generated during the same period in 2025, translating to a remarkable 448 percent growth.
According to him, the impressive revenue performance was driven by intensified anti-revenue leakage measures, stricter compliance systems, improved stakeholder engagement, and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
“The renewed commitment, professionalism, and vigilance demonstrated by officers and men of the command have greatly contributed to this outstanding performance,” Kaila stated.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining the momentum through institutional reforms, transparent trade procedures, and intelligence-based monitoring capable of boosting revenue generation without obstructing legitimate trade activities.
Kaila emphasized the strategic importance of the Seme border corridor in advancing regional and continental trade integration, particularly under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He explained that the command had strengthened engagement with licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, transport unions, importers, exporters, traditional institutions, and sister security agencies to improve operational efficiency and compliance.
According to him, regular consultations and interface meetings with stakeholders have simplified cargo clearance procedures, increased compliance awareness, and strengthened trust between Customs and the trading community.
The Customs Area Controller further noted that officers of the command had continued to provide guidance and regulatory compliance support to Small and Medium Enterprises seeking access to regional and international markets.
“These initiatives are aligned with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda and ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business,” he said.
On anti-smuggling operations, Kaila disclosed that the command intensified intelligence-led patrols and surveillance across the Seme-Badagry corridor and adjoining routes, leading to the interception of several prohibited and restricted items.
Among the major seizures were 1,000 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa, which he said contravened provisions of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act and Section 245(1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. He added that the narcotics would be handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
The command also intercepted large quantities of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs without approval from NAFDAC.
The seized pharmaceutical products included 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup, 88 packs of “99 Bullets” herbal medicine, 10 cartons of Ultimate Plus Maca Sildenafil Citrate, 14 cartons each of Super Sexy and Machine Man Sildenafil Citrate, quantities of Bottom Up Sildenafil Citrate, and 100 packs each of Tramaking and Tempendol.
Kaila explained that the products violated Section 55(1)(c) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and would be transferred to NAFDAC for 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 (PMS), 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bales of used clothing.
The Customs boss disclosed that the cumulative Duty Paid Value of all seized items stood at over ₦500 million.
He stressed that the seizures underscored the command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and economic sabotage.
“These enforcement actions are aimed at protecting local industries, safeguarding public health, preserving national security, and ensuring compliance with import and export regulations,” Kaila said.
He also issued a strong warning to smugglers and criminal syndicates operating along the border corridor, declaring that the command would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration to combat trans-border crimes.
Kaila urged legitimate traders and business operators to embrace compliance, describing it as “the safest, fastest, and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade.”
He commended officers and men of the command for their resilience and professionalism, while appreciating stakeholders, host communities, and the media for their continued support.
The Customs Area Controller reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to balancing revenue generation with trade facilitation, border security, and economic development.
“The Seme Area Command will continue to discharge its responsibilities with integrity, transparency, and professionalism in line with the Service reform agenda and the expectations of Nigerians,” he concluded.