… intercepts illicit drugs, unregistered pharmaceuticals, coins, PMS, others worth over N600m
The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a revenue generation of Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven Million, Fifty-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Nine Naira, Thirty Kobo (₦847,058,879.30k) for the month of April 2025 alone.
It also declared that it facilitated the movement of Two Thousand and Twenty Nine (2,029) trucks, equivalent to over Eight Eight 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.
The National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees stood at Eighty Four Million, Five Hundred and Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Six Naira and Sixty Six Kobo (₦84,504,936.66k).
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Compt. Ben Oramalugo, announced these while briefing the press on Wednesday on the activities of the Command covering the period from 14 march to 13 may 2025 held at the Ecowas Complex, Joint Border Post, Seme-krake border.
He also announced that the Command generated total revenue of Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven Million, Fifty-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Nine Naira, Thirty Kobo (₦847,058,879.30k) for the month of April 2025 alone, reflecting the Command’s sustained efforts at ensuring that all revenue leakages are blocked, and every legitimate kobo due to the federal government is collected without compromise.
On anti-smuggling operations, Oramalugo reported that on March 28, 2025, the Command intercepted a motorcyclist with a Ghana-Must-Go bag containing various foreign coins, namely: 49 pieces of Two-Dollar coins, 1,048 pieces of One-Pound coins, 130 pieces of 25 Canadian cents, 236 pieces of Fifty Pence, 645 pieces of Twenty Pence, 420 pieces of Ten Pence, 370 pieces of Five Pence.
Similarly, on April 1, 2025, the Command intercepted a Mazda vehicle suspected of carrying smuggled items along the Badagry-Seme Expressway found to contain 940 pieces of One-Pound coins, 80 pieces of Two-Pound coins, 338 pieces of Fifty Penny, 540 pieces of Twenty Penny and 785 pieces of Five Penny.
According to him, the total value of these seized foreign coins is Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty One Naira (₦8,975,281.00k) only, stating that 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 May 9, 2025, the Command intercepted a red Toyota Avensis with registration number GGB 667 JL along the Badagry-Lagos expressway. The vehicle was found to be conveying six canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED), concealed beneath five cartons of the Holy Qur’an. One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.
Other notable seizures during the period include, according to the CAC are 553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), 1,415 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 750 kegs of PMS (30kg each), 30 cartons of Tobacco, 50 cartons of Ketchup Tomato, one boat and engine, 50 bales of second-hand clothing, five vehicles and also unregistered pharmaceuticals, including 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).
In line with inter-agency collaboration the seized Cannabis Sativa and Cannasive of Corrosive Mercury suspected to be IEDs and unregistered pharmaceuticals were handed over to the relevant agencies – the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food and Drug Control (NAFDAC) for discreet investigative action and possible prosecution.
Oramalugo also used the 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 who often operate via social media and other informal platforms.
He warned that the NCS 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”, he cautioned.
The CAC commended the gallant officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their steadfastness, professionalism, and integrity, as well as the stakeholders and partners, including the media, for your continued support and collaboration.
On a final note, he appealed 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.