Seme Customs Collects N1.5bn, Supports N531.46m Exports, Intercepts Drugs and Expired Flour

In September 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme border command reported that it had brought in N1,500,029,233.88 for the federal government.
Additionally, the Command revealed that during the reviewed period, it handled exports totaling N7,969,376,198.78.

During a press briefing in Lagos, Comptroller A.O. Adenuga, the command’s Customs Area Controller (CAC), revealed this information. He said that the command also intercepted and seized five trucks carrying 10,000 bags of expired flour that came from Egypt, totaling N1,210,300,000.00 in Duty Paid Value (DPV). In a joint operation with NAFDAC, 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) were intercepted through actionable intelligence.
150 bales of used clothing, 169 bottles of DSP cough syrup with codeine, 5, used cars, and 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kg apiece) are among the other items confiscated, according to the Customs head.
The amount he provided was N1,999,093,429.00.

“We are pleased to welcome you all to the Seme Area Command’s first press briefing,” Comptroller Adenuga stated. To the glory of Almighty God, I am incredibly honored to take on the leadership of this Command, a role I formally assumed on September 8, 2025, thanks to the kind trust that the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his distinguished management team placed in me. This event offers a significant chance for me to recount my stewardship and to discuss the progress we have all made together in this brief but exciting time. Through the vision and reform-driven ideology of the Comptroller General of Customs, as well as the commitment and professionalism of this Command’s officers and men, we have achieved significant progress in carrying out our fundamental missions.

He stated that upon taking office, he made trade facilitation the defining feature of his administration in accordance with the CGC’s strategic vision, which is based on the policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation. He did this because he believed that simplified trade would result in lower costs, more revenue, and streamlined processes.

“The Seme Area Command has increased efforts to streamline processes, improve interagency coordination, and guarantee that lawful traders reap the full benefits of Customs modernization and regional integration along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor, guided by the CGC’s dedication to transparency and modernization.”
According to Compt. Adenuga, the command generated a total of One Billion, Five Hundred Million, Twenty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Three Naira, and Eighty-Eight Kobo (N1,500,029,233.88) in September 2025 under the renewed vigor inspired by the CGC’s leadership. This is in contrast to the five hundred and thirty-one million, four hundred and sixty-two thousand, three hundred and thirty-two Naira, and forty-five kobo N531,462,332.45 only collected in August 2025. This represents an outstanding increase of more than 182%.

This exceptional performance is a testament to the success of the CGC’s reform agenda, which is based on compliance, openness, and data-driven goods monitoring. It also shows how committed the officers and men are to upholding his goal of a modern, functional, and accountable Customs Service.
As for the non-oil export facilitation, the Comptroller stated that the Command facilitated the export of fifty-three thousand, nine hundred and eighty-nine point four six (53,989.46) metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of seven billion, nine hundred and sixty-nine million, three hundred and seventy-six thousand, one hundred and ninety-eight thousand naira, and seventy-eight kobo (N7,969,376,198.78). This was in direct compliance with the CGC’s directive to promote legitimate export trade.

The exports, which included manufactured goods and agricultural produce, showed the renewed confidence of exporters in the Seme command as a viable trade hub under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), he added, stressing that the total Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fee was N39,868,354.42 only.
According to Adenuga, Seme Command is steadfast in its resolve to combat smuggling and safeguard economic stability, public health, and national security under the direction of the CGC’s zero-tolerance policy on the matter.

“During the period under review, our operatives made significant seizures through credible intelligence and strong inter-agency collaboration. One such seizure was the joint operation with NAFDAC that intercepted five (5) trucks carrying 10,000 bags of expired flour from Egypt, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,210,300,000.00 (N1,210,300,000.00) only.

Consuming such expired products carries health hazards that could have resulted in food poisoning, serious illnesses, and future health issues.

Beyond the potential health risks, these unhealthy products damage regional businesses and destroy consumer confidence.
With the use of actionable intelligence, 1,104 packages of Cannabis Sativa, also known as marijuana, were seized. It is impossible to overestimate the social and psychological toll that these narcotics have on our young people.
Our agents confiscated 120 packs of 120 mg tramadol, and on October 7, 2025, they turned over two suspects to the NDLEA, Seme command for more investigation.

The following other things were confiscated: 150 bales of used clothing, 169 bottles of DSP Cough Syrup with Codeine, 5, used cars, and 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kg).
He revealed that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all seizures amounted at N1,999,093,429.00, which is one billion, nine hundred and ninety-nine million, ninety-three thousand, four hundred and twenty-nine Naira.

These findings are consistent with the CGC’s operational theory, which holds that smuggling is an economic sabotage that jeopardizes public welfare and deprives the country of essential revenue. Along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, we are adamant that any financial resources spent on smuggling would be a huge waste and would be better used to fund legal ventures that could empower thousands of SMEs and provide employment.

In particular, the Nigerian Navy (NN) deserves special recognition for its assistance in the battle against smuggling in this corridor. We are grateful to the NN FOB Badagry for their several handovers of foreign parboiled rice that was stopped and confiscated on the waterways and their surroundings, proving that we are allies in this battle against smuggling.

“From October 6–7, 2025, the command organized two significant stakeholder engagements in keeping with the CGC’s emphasis on stakeholder collaboration.” Heads of security agencies, traditional leaders, and important stakeholders from the Seme–Krake corridor convened for the first time, and significant resolutions were reached to eliminate extortion, numerous checkpoints, and other trade barriers.

“All organizations reiterated their dedication to eliminating pointless checkpoints and guaranteeing the smooth flow of lawful people and products without endangering national security. Licensed customs agents from both sides of the border, businesspeople, and our Benin Republic customs counterparts participated in the second engagement. The CGC’s regional integration ambition was reflected in this cooperative conference, which sought to further fortify the Lagos–Abidjan trade corridor and coordinate border operations.

The Seme Area Command is steadfast in maintaining a balance between the three pillars of national security, trade facilitation, and revenue generation, thanks to the visionary leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR (gentlemen of the press).

Through the use of technology, stakeholder participation, and proactive intelligence, we will keep improving our operational efficiency. It is our shared responsibility to make sure that the Seme-Krake border continues to be a doorway to prosperity rather than crime.

Building a smarter, safer, and more prosperous border corridor in complete accordance with the CGC’s modernization roadmap is what we are doing with our partners and stakeholders.

My sincere appreciation goes out to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the whole management group for their steadfast assistance, inspiring guidance, and priceless mentoring.

“The Military, the NPF, DSS, NAFDAC, SON, and other pertinent security agencies deserve my heartfelt gratitude for their ongoing cooperation. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to the decent citizens of Badagry Local Government, as well as the traditional leaders and community leaders, for their outstanding collaboration and partnership.

“I also applaud the diligent press members, who are our unwavering allies in advancement.

“The dedication, hard work, and excellence of the men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, as well as our esteemed stakeholders, continue to be the key to our success as a team. We sincerely appreciate each and every individual. Your commitment consistently motivates this Command’s accomplishments and fortifies our determination to serve honorably and with distinction,” Comptroller Adenuga said.