The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) through the Seme Krake Border Area Command has intercepted five trucks of rice and other smuggled goods worth N1.258bn.
Addressing the pressmen on Thursday at the command headquarters in Seme, the Customs Area Controller of Seme Command, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo PhD, disclosed that the two of the five trucks with 2,800 bags of rice and 250 bales of second hand clothings, were seized between 1st July and 19th July 2025.
Comptroller Oramalugo went further to disclosed that the seizures were made possible through “vigilance, resilience, and doggedness of the officers and men of the Command and collaborative support from other security agencies, particularly the Nigerian military.
Giving account of the seizures, Oramalugo said, “ For the past two weeks, between the 1st July and 19th July 2025, the operatives of the Command acting on credible intelligence and coordinated enforcement strategies, successfully intercepted and seized a total of Five (5) trucks laden with smuggled goods along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor. The trucks were found to contain a total of Two Thousand, Eight Hundred (2,800) bags of foreign parboiled rice 50Kg each, and Two Hundred and Fifty (250) bales of second –hand clothing;
The Duty Paid Value of the seized rice and the means of conveyance (trucks) is Nine Hundred and Nineteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira (₦919,500,626.00k) only.
“ Other notable seizures during the period include: Eight Hundred and Ninety Eight (898) parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), One Thousand Three Hundred and Nineteen (1,319) bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), Forty (40) bags of Sugar (50kg each), Sixty-Four (64) bags of Flour (50kg each), Fifty (50) cartons of Ketchup Tomato, One (1) boat and engine, Twenty (20) bales of second-hand clothing, Four (4) bales of used shoes
“ The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seizures during the period under review is One Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy-Four Naira (₦1,268,794,474.00k) only”.
"This operation is a testament to the vigilance, resilience, and doggedness of the officers and men of the Seme Area Command, as well as the collaborative support from other security agencies, particularly the Nigerian military"
In the area of export trade, the Controller informed that during the period, the Command facilitated the movement of 1,837 trucks, equivalent to over 116,723.26MT of made-in-Nigeria goods.
Reiterating on the ban of importation of rice through the land borders, Oramalugo said, “As you are aware, the Federal Government of Nigeria has placed a ban on the importation of rice through land borders to protect our rice farmers and millers and reduce dependency on imported rice. Nigeria is the highest producer of rice in Africa, with an annual output exceeding 8 million metric tonnes, surpassing Egypt and “Tanzania.
However, our rice mills continue to face challenges due to insufficient patronage, which hampers their ability to operate at full capacity. This ban is a strategic measure to boost local production and ensure the sustainability of our agricultural sector.
Regrettably, some unpatriotic elements persist in engaging in illegal importation, undermining the nation’s economic growth. Let me make it unequivocally clear that the Seme Area Command is not, and will never be, a fertile ground for smugglers. These monumental seizures sends a strong message to those involved in illicit activities that the operatives of the Command remain resolute, equipped, and prepared to enforce the Federal Government’s fiscal policies with unwavering determination".
In the spirit of inter-agency collaboration, some of the seized items, particularly the marijuana, will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for discreet investigation and further action. This underscores our commitment to working closely with sister agencies to ensure the security and well-being of our nation”.
On revenue, Oramalugo said that the Command recorded ₦1.593bn for the months of May and June, adding that this achievement reflects the Command’s “sustained efforts at ensuring that all revenue leakages are blocked, and every legitimate kobo due to the Federal Government is collected without compromise”.
According to him, “In line with the Federal Government’s agenda on economic diversification through non-oil exports, the Command facilitated the movement of One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Seven (1,837) trucks, equivalent to over One Hundred and Sixteen Thousand metric tonnes (116,723.26MT) of made-in-Nigeria goods. These exports had a Free On Board (FOB) value of Twenty-Two Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Six Naira and Ten Kobo (₦22,368,388,976.10k) only. While the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees stood at One Hundred and Eleven Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Four Naira and Eighty-Seven Kobo (₦111,841,944.87K) only.
The controller commend the principal officers and the entire Officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their unrelenting efforts in combating smuggling. Their dedication, coupled with the support of other security agencies, particularly the military, has been instrumental in these successes.
Dr. Oramalugo appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management Team for their unwavering support in tackling smugglers at the borders.
He disclosed that the Command had received 12 vehicles which have significantly enhanced our capacity to patrol and secure the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, adding that the results of this investment are evident in the seizures that have been recorded by the Command.
Compt. Oramalugo assured Nigerians and legitimate traders that the Lagos-Abidjan corridor remains safe and conducive for lawful trade.
However, to those who engage in illegal activities, he sounded a clear warning: “steer clear of this corridor, as the Seme Area Command will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law upon you. We remain committed to protecting Nigeria’s economic interests, fostering legitimate trade, and ensuring the security of our borders. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria,” he concluded.
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