Seme Customs Harvests N847m, Hard Drugs, Foreign Currencies At Border.
Between March 14 and May 13, 2025, the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) achieved remarkable success, harvesting over N847 million in revenue and seizing hard drugs and contraband worth N622 million. This was revealed during a recent media briefing at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post in Seme-Krake.
Customs Area Comptroller, Controller Ben Oramalugo, PhD, told journalists that the Command remains steadfast in its commitment to revenue generation, trade facilitation, and combating smuggling. He highlighted that in April, the Command generated N847.05 million, attributing the achievement to officers’ professionalism and efforts to plug revenue leakages.
In support of the Federal Government’s economic diversification efforts through non-oil exports, the Command facilitated the movement of 2,029 trucks carrying 88,036 metric tonnes of made-in-Nigeria goods valued at N16.9 billion FOB. This generated N84.5 million in National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees, highlighting the Command’s contribution to boosting local industries and the economy.
On anti-smuggling efforts, Comptroller Oramalugo highlighted notable successes, including two significant seizures of suspected smuggled foreign coins. On March 28, operatives intercepted a motorcyclist, abandoning a bag containing 49 Two-Dollar coins, 1,048 One-Pound coins, and hundreds of British and Canadian coins. Another seizure was made on April 1, involving a Mazda vehicle loaded with assorted foreign coins. Both seizures, valued at N48,975,281, are prohibited items under the Common External Tariff.
“In a more sensitive operation, on May 9, Customs operatives intercepted a red Toyota Avensis conveying six canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be components of an improvised explosive device.
The mercury was concealed beneath cartons of the Holy Qur’an, and one suspect was arrested in connection with the case.”
“Further seizures during the two months included 553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 1,415 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 750 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 30 cartons of tobacco, 50 cartons of tomato ketchup, one boat and engine, 50 bales of second-hand clothing, five vehicles used as means of conveyance, and various unregistered pharmaceutical products including 420 bottles of CA-C100 Vitamin C and Haldol injections.”
“The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seizures made during the period stood at N669,785,236.”
Comptroller Oramalugo stated that the seized drugs and hazardous items would be handed over to relevant sister agencies for further investigation and prosecution, in line with inter-agency collaboration.
“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 canisters of corrosive mercury, suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), concealed beneath Five cartons of the Holy Qur’an. One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.
“In line with our commitment to inter-agency collaboration, we shall be handing over the seized Cannabis Sativa and Corrosive Mercury suspected to be IEDs and unregistered pharmaceuticals to the relevant agencies for discreet investigative action and possible prosecution. This also highlights our readiness to work with sister agencies in safeguarding national security.
Speaking at the briefing, a representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Austines Ojojo, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its proactive approach and strong inter-agency cooperation. He assured that the NDLEA would ensure the confiscated hard drugs do not find their way back into public circulation.
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