The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, 1,306 sacks of expired and decomposing noodles, illicit drugs, cigarettes and other contraband with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦365.16 million.
The seizures were disclosed by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, during a press briefing at the Seme Border in Badagry, Lagos State, on Tuesday.
Kaila said the interceptions were the result of intelligence-led operations and sustained surveillance by officers of the Command, stressing that the seizures demonstrated the Service’s determination to protect national security, public health and the economy.
Among the most disturbing interceptions, he said, was a truck falsely declared to be carrying food items but found to contain 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50kg.
According to him, intelligence indicated that the deteriorated products were intended to be repackaged, relabelled and introduced into the Nigerian market for unsuspecting consumers.
He described the interception as a major public health intervention, warning that the consumption of such products could expose Nigerians to food poisoning, gastrointestinal diseases and other serious health complications.
The Command also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg, smuggled into the country through illegal routes.
Kaila said the illegal importation not only deprived government of legitimate revenue but also undermined local rice production and threatened the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.
Drugs, Cigarettes Intercepted
In its crackdown on illicit drugs and harmful substances, the Command 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.
Kaila said the seizures had disrupted criminal supply chains and prevented potentially harmful substances from reaching Nigerian communities.
He noted that illicit drugs could fuel cultism, armed robbery, violent crime and other social vices, while smuggled cigarettes evade statutory duties and health regulations.
3,300 Explosive Cartridges Intercepted
The Command also intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being illegally transported through the Seme border corridor.
Kaila described the seizure as one of the most significant from a national security perspective, noting that explosives in the hands of criminal elements could facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
He disclosed that the explosive materials had been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.
One suspect was also transferred alongside the explosive materials.
Vehicles, Watercraft Seized
Other items intercepted by the Command included a used speedboat, a used water bike, a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, a 2016 Toyota RAV4 and a 2010 Nissan Versa.
Kaila said the combined DPV of all the items seized and displayed was ₦365,163,709.
The Command’s controller warned smugglers and other economic saboteurs that the Seme border corridor would continue to be subjected to intelligence-driven enforcement.
“Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage”, he declared.
Seme Customs Revenue Surges 24.45%
Beyond enforcement, Kaila disclosed that the Command had recorded significant growth in revenue collection while continuing to facilitate legitimate trade.
He said the Command generated ₦15.94 billion in 2025, while its revenue collection between January and July 2026 rose to ₦19.84 billion.
The seven-month collection represents an increase of ₦3.90 billion, or 24.45 per cent, over the Command’s entire 2025 revenue performance.
Kaila attributed the improvement to enhanced compliance, stronger stakeholder engagement and improved operational efficiency.
He stressed that enforcement and trade facilitation remained complementary aspects of the Customs Service’s mandate, assuring compliant traders of an enabling environment for legitimate cross-border business.
The Customs Area Controller reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic reforms, facilitating legitimate regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and denying smugglers safe passage through its area of responsibility.
He also disclosed that the seized illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and appropriate action.
Kaila commended sister security and regulatory agencies for their cooperation and intelligence sharing, while urging the media to continue supporting efforts to promote transparency, accountability and public confidence in Customs operations.