By Ranmilowo Ojalumo -The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, said it generated N9.79 billion revenue between March and May 2026, representing a 448 per cent increase compared to the N2.18 billion recorded within the same period in 2025.
Speaking during a media briefing held at the command headquarters on Monday, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, attributed the increase to strengthened compliance measures, improved stakeholder collaboration, intensified anti-revenue leakage strategies, and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
Kaila disclosed that the command generated a total of N9,798,938,969 within the review period, an increase of N7.61 billion over the corresponding period in 2025.
According to him, the remarkable performance also reflected the renewed dedication, vigilance and operational efficiency of officers and men of the command.
He said the command remained committed to sustaining the growth through institutional reforms, intelligence-driven monitoring and transparent trade procedures that would support legitimate trade activities.
The controller described the Seme border as one of Nigeria’s busiest and most strategic land border formations, playing a vital role in regional and continental trade integration under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He explained that the command had intensified engagement with stakeholders including licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, transport unions, importers, exporters, traditional institutions and sister security agencies operating along the corridor.
Kaila noted that through regular consultations and interface meetings, the command had addressed operational bottlenecks, simplified clearance procedures, improved compliance awareness and strengthened trust between customs and the trading public.
He added that officers of the command were also providing support to Small and Medium Enterprises seeking access to regional and international markets, especially in export documentation and regulatory compliance processes.
On anti-smuggling operations, the controller said the command had sustained aggressive intelligence-led enforcement activities to combat economic sabotage, protect local industries and safeguard public health and national security.
He disclosed that within the last two months, patrol and surveillance operations along the Seme-Badagry corridor led to the seizure of 1,000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa.
According to him, the narcotics would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.
Kaila also revealed that the command intercepted unregistered pharmaceutical products including codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs without certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
The seized items included 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup, 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine, cartons of sildenafil citrate products branded as Ultimate Plus Maca, Super Sexy and Machine Man, as well as 100 packs each of Tramaking and Tempendol.
He said the products would be handed over to NAFDAC for appropriate regulatory action.
The customs boss further disclosed that the command seized 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of foreign vegetable oil, 103 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti and 250 bales of used clothing during separate operations.
He put the Duty Paid Value of the seized goods at N501.8 million.
Kaila reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling, warning smugglers and their collaborators to desist from illegal activities.
“The Seme Area Command will not serve as a safe haven for illicit trade,” he said.
He added that the command had strengthened its intelligence network, enhanced surveillance along land and maritime routes, and intensified collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies to tackle trans-border crimes and economic sabotage.
The controller urged compliant traders and legitimate business operators to continue utilising the command’s trade facilitation platforms and dispute-resolution mechanisms for seamless business operations.
Kaila commended officers and men of the command for their resilience and dedication to duty, while also appreciating stakeholders, host communities and the media for their support and cooperation.
He 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 national economic development
