By Ranmilowo Ojalumo. -The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted expired and waste noodles, illicit drugs, cigarettes and explosive materials with a combined Duty Paid Value of N365.16 million at the Seme border in Lagos State.
The Customs Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, disclosed this on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during a press briefing at the Seme Border, Badagry, Lagos State.
According to Kaila, the Command intercepted a truck deceptively declared to be carrying food items, following credible intelligence and sustained surveillance.
He said thorough examination of the consignment uncovered 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.
Kaila said many of the products had deteriorated and were visibly decomposing, adding that intelligence revealed that they were intended to be repackaged, relabelled and introduced into Nigerian markets for unsuspecting consumers.
“Had this shipment succeeded, countless families would have been exposed to serious health hazards ranging from food poisoning and gastrointestinal diseases to other life-threatening medical complications,” he said.
The Customs boss said the interception demonstrated that border security was also a form of public health protection.
He added that the Command, in separate enforcement operations across different flashpoints within its area of responsibility, also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, smuggled through illegal routes.
According to him, the illicit importation not only denies government legitimate revenue but also undermines Federal Government agricultural policies, discourages local rice production and threatens the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.
On illicit drugs and harmful substances, Kaila said the Command intercepted 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.
He said the products were dangerous and capable of destroying lives, fuelling criminality, encouraging substance abuse and undermining the future of young people.
“The illicit drugs intercepted are often linked to cultism, armed robbery, violent crimes and other social vices, while smuggled cigarettes evade health regulations, avoid payment of statutory duties and expose consumers to products outside approved quality standards,” he said.
Kaila also disclosed that Customs officers intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being illegally conveyed through the border corridor.
He said the explosives had the potential to facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes capable of threatening national peace and security.
According to him, the explosive materials had already been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.
As part of its anti-smuggling efforts, the Command also intercepted one used speedboat, one used Water Bike, one used Toyota Land Cruiser 2017 model, one used Toyota RAV4 2016 model and one used Nissan Versa 2010 model.
Kaila said the Duty Paid Value of all the items displayed was N365,163,709.
“To those engaged in smuggling activities, our message remains unequivocal, Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,” he said.
On revenue performance, the Customs Area Controller said the Seme Area Command generated N15,941,258,676.01 in 2025.
He said the Command generated N19,840,280,788.50 between January and July 2026.
This, according to him, meant that within seven months, the Command had surpassed its entire 12-month revenue collection for 2025 by N3,899,022,112.49, representing a 24.45 per cent increase.
Kaila said the achievement demonstrated that effective enforcement and efficient trade facilitation were complementary responsibilities.
He said the Command remained committed to creating an enabling environment for compliant traders to conduct legitimate business with ease and predictability.
The Customs boss said the illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products seized by the Command would be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and necessary action.
He added that the explosive materials, along with one suspect, had already been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit due to their highly sensitive nature.
Kaila said the Command remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s economic reforms, promoting regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, facilitating compliant trade and ensuring that smugglers had no safe haven within its area of responsibility.
