ZAINAB JUNAID
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 said it facilitated the movement of Two Thousand and Twenty Nine (2,029) trucks, equivalent to over Eighty- Eight thousand metric tonnes (88,036.15) of made-in-Nigeria goods, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of Sixteen Billion, Nine Hundred Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty One Naira and Ten Kobo (₦16,900,987,331.10k) only.
Customs Area Controller of the Command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo made this known at the Economic Community of West African State, ECOWAS Complex, Joint Border Post, Seme Krake Border.
Dr. Oramalugo told journalists that between 13 March and 13 May 2025, the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees is totaled Eighty Four Million, Five Hundred and Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Six Naira and Sixty Six Kobo only (₦84,504,936.66k).
He stressed that this feat underscored the Command’s role as a critical trade enabler and contributor to national economic growth through efficient border management and support to local manufacturers.
The Area Controller also revealed that Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven Million, Fifty-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Nine Naira, Thirty Kobo (₦847,058,879.30k) was generated as revenue for the month of April 2025 alone, reflecting the Command’s ongoing efforts to ensure that all revenue leakages are blocked, and every legitimate kobo due to the Federal Government is collected without compromise.
On enforcement activities, the Command’s Helmsman informed that the efforts of his personnel have continued to yield commendable results as over Six Hundred and Sixty Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty Six Naira (₦669,785,236.00k) only was recorded as total Duty Paid Value, DPV, of all seizures made during the period under review.
According to him, “On 28th March 2025, at about 2000hrs, operatives of the Command on stop and search duty intercepted a motorcyclist suspected of conveying un-custom goods along Owode Road.
“Upon interception, the rider abandoned a Ghana-Must-Go bag and escaped. Upon examination, the bag was found to contain various foreign coins, namely:
“Forty-Nine (49) pieces of Two-Dollar coins, One Thousand and Forty Eight (1,048) pieces of One-Pound coins, One Hundred and Thirty (130) pieces of 25 Canadian cents, Two Hundred and Thirty Six (236) pieces of Fifty Pence, Six Hundred and Forty Five (645) pieces of Twenty Pence, Four Hundred and Twenty (420) pieces of Ten Pence, Three Hundred and Seventy (370) pieces of Five Pence”.
“Similarly, on 1st April 2025, operatives intercepted a Mazda vehicle suspected of carrying smuggled items along the Badagry-Seme Expressway. After a thorough check, the vehicle was found to contain: “Nine Hundred and Forty (940) pieces of One-Pound coins, Eighty (80) pieces of Two-Pound coins, Three Hundred and Thirty Eight (338) pieces of Fifty Penny, Five Hundred and Forty (540) pieces of Twenty Penny and Seven Hundred and Eighty Five (785) pieces of Five Penny.
“The total value of these seized foreign coins is Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty One Naira only (₦8,975,281.00k). These items are classified under Item 18 of Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff (CET), which prohibits the importation of “Silver or Metal Alloy Coins not being legal tender in Nigeria”.
“In a related development, on 9th May 2025, our operatives, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a red Toyota Avensis with registration number GGB 667 JL along the Badagry-Lagos expressway. The vehicle was found to be conveying Six (6) canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED), concealed beneath Five (5) cartons of the Holy Qur’an. One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.
“Other notable seizures during the period include: Five Hundred and Fifty Three (553) parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), One Thousand Four Hundred and Fifteen (1,415) bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), Seven Hundred and Fifty (750) kegs of PMS (30kg each), Thirty (30) cartons of Tobacco, Fifty (50) cartons of Ketchup Tomato, One (1) boat and engine, Fifty (50) bales of second-hand clothing, Five (5) Vehicles and also Unregistered pharmaceuticals, including Four Hundred and Twenty (420) bottles of CA-C100 Vitamin C and Haldol injection (5ml).
“The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seizures during the period under review is Six Hundred and Sixty Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty Six Naira (₦669,785,236.00k) only,” he stated.
Speaking further, the Area Controller informed that the Command will handover the seized Cannabis Sativa and Cannasive of Corrosive Mercury suspected to be IEDs and unregistered pharmaceuticals to the relevant agencies for discreet investigative action and possible prosecution.
He noted that this aligns with the strategic focus of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on inter-agency collaboration, highlighting the Command’s readiness to work with sister agencies in safeguarding Nigeria’s national security.
“Let me use this opportunity to alert the general public on the activities of fraudsters who impersonate officers of the Seme Area Command, claiming to auction or sell vehicles. These scammers often operate via social media and other informal platforms. The Command dissociates itself from any such illegal activity.
“Please note that the Nigeria Customs Service does not sell or auction seized items via WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, or any unverified platforms. Only follow verified social media handles bearing the official blue tick or any communication directly from the Nigeria Customs Service.
“I wish to commend the gallant officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their steadfastness, professionalism, and integrity. I also thank our stakeholders and partners, including the media, for your continued support and collaboration.
“We remain fully committed to our mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and suppression of smuggling. We shall not be deterred by mischief-makers or their propaganda. The Command will continue to work diligently in the interest of national economic development and security.
“Additionally, we appeal to parents and guardians residing in border communities to counsel their wards and youths to refrain from engaging in smuggling activities and to avoid being used as instruments to obstruct law enforcement officers in the discharge of their legitimate duties,” he added.
