The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has generated ₦9,798,938,969 revenue between March 2026 and May 2026, representing a 448 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Speaking during his maiden media briefing at the Seme Area Command Headquarters on Monday, 25th March, 2026, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, described the achievements as a reflection of intensified enforcement, stronger stakeholder collaboration, and renewed operational efficiency since assuming office in March 2026.
He said the revenue represents an increase of ₦7,610,533,220 over the ₦2,188,405,749 collected during the corresponding period in 2025.
According to him, the impressive growth was driven by strengthened compliance measures, improved stakeholder cooperation, anti-revenue leakage strategies, enhanced operational efficiency and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
He also attributed the performance to the dedication and vigilance of officers and men of the Command.
The Comptroller noted that the Seme Area Command remains strategic to regional and continental trade integration, especially under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He explained that the Command has intensified engagements with customs agents, freight forwarders, importers, exporters, transport unions and other stakeholders to simplify clearance procedures and improve compliance.
On anti-smuggling operations,Comptroller Kaila said the Command recorded several seizures through intelligence-led operations conducted along the Seme-Badagry corridor and adjoining routes.
Among the seizures made were 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of vegetable oil, 103 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bales of used clothing.
Officers also intercepted large consignments of unregistered and potentially harmful pharmaceuticals, including codeine-based syrups and sexual enhancement drugs without National Agency For Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC certification.
These includes 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup; 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine and 10 cartons of Ultimate Plus Maca Sildenafil Citrate.
Others are 14 cartons of Super Sexy Sildenafil Citrate 200mg; 14 cartons of Machine Man Sildenafil Citrate; Quantities of Bottom Up Sildenafil Citrate; 100 packs of Tramaking and 100 packs of Tempendol.
Kaila confirmed that all seized drugs and pharmaceuticals will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and NAFDAC for further investigation and prosecution.
He warned smugglers to steer clear of the Seme border, stressing that the Command has strengthened its intelligence network and expanded surveillance across land and maritime routes. “Let me be clear: Seme Command will not be a safe haven for economic saboteurs,” he declared.
He acknowledged the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for reforms balancing revenue generation, security, and trade facilitation.
The Comptroller disclosed that six suspects were arrested in connection with the cannabis seizures but had been released on administrative bail pending further investigation.
He commended the officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment to duty while extending his appreciation to critical stakeholders and host communities for their continued support, cooperation, and collaboration with the Command.
The command boss assured that the Nigeria Customs Service, under the purposeful leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi , remains fully committed to balancing effective revenue generation with trade facilitation, border security, and national economic development.
“This remarkable achievement is attributable to strengthened compliance mechanisms, improved stakeholder cooperation, intensified anti-revenue leakage measures and enhanced operational efficiency.The rate at which these hard substances are coming into the country is highly alarming.
“We cannot fold our arms and allow unscrupulous elements to destroy our youth through illicit drugs.The Seme Area Command will not serve as a safe haven for smugglers and other economic saboteurs.Six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of Cannabis Sativa and released on administrative bail pending further investigation.
Kaila assured that the Command will continue to operate with integrity and transparency in line with public expectations. He also appreciated the media for supporting transparency and public awareness.
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