SEME CUSTOMS RECORDS 182% REVENUE INCREASE, SEIZES ₦1.99BN CONTRABAND IN ONE MONTH

SEME CUSTOMS RECORDS 182% REVENUE INCREASE, SEIZES ₦1.99BN CONTRABAND IN ONE MONTH
….hands over seized drugs,10 ,000 bags of ,expired Flour to NDLEA, NAFDAC

Compt Wale Adenuga (L) presenting the handong over certificate of the seized drugs to the Commandant Narcotics, Ajoku Rita(R),at the Seme command on Thursday

BY Frank Odinukaeze

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has announced a remarkable 182% increase in revenue generation for the month of September 2025, alongside major anti-smuggling breakthroughs that led to the seizure of contraband items valued at ₦1.99 billion.
Speaking during the Command’s maiden media briefing held at the COWA Complex, Seme Border, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller AO Adenuga, said the Command generated ₦1,500,029,233.88 in September — a significant leap from ₦531,462,332.45 recorded in August.

R- L Compt Adenuga( R) ,NDLEA Commandant, Ajoku Rita (M) and Dr.Nurideen Audu,regulatory officer NAFDAC,during the handover ceremony of seized drugs and expired Flour at SEME Customs Command on Thursday

Adenuga attributed the outstanding performance to the reform-driven leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the renewed commitment of officers and men of the Command to transparency, innovation, and trade facilitation.
“Under the guidance of the CGC’s strategic vision of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation, we declared trade facilitation as the hallmark of our administration,” Adenuga stated.
“When trade is facilitated, processes are streamlined, costs are reduced, and more revenue is generated.”

In support of the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, the Command facilitated the export of 53,989.46 metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of ₦7.97 billion and a Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fee of ₦39.86 million.
The exports, consisting mainly of agricultural produce and manufactured products, were processed under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), which Adenuga said reflects exporters’ renewed confidence in the Seme Command as a viable regional trade hub.

On enforcement, Adenuga highlighted the Command’s robust anti-smuggling operations, in line with the CGC’s zero-tolerance policy.
Significant seizures made between September 1 and October 9, 2025, include:
Five (5) trucks loaded with 10,000 bags of expired flour from Egypt, worth ₦1.21 billion, intercepted in collaboration with NAFDAC.

1,104 parcels of cannabis sativa (marijuana) and 120 packs of tramadol (120mg), with two suspects handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.
Other items: 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 150 bales of second-hand clothing, 169 bottles of codeine syrup, and five used vehicles.
Adenuga warned that smuggling remains an act of economic sabotage that deprives the nation of vital revenue and endangers public health.
“Our position is clear along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor — any resource diverted into smuggling is a colossal waste. Such energy should be channelled into legitimate business that empowers SMEs and creates jobs,” he said.

Split rice recovered  from water and handed over to SEME Customs by the Nigerian Navy,

He also commended the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry for its consistent support in intercepting smuggled goods along the waterways.
On Stakeholder Collaboration and Regional Engagement,the Customs boss disclosed that the Command recently hosted two major stakeholder engagements between October 6–7, 2025. The first involved heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders to tackle issues such as multiple checkpoints and extortion, while the second brought together Benin Republic Customs, business operators, and licensed agents to strengthen cross-border cooperation.

According to him, these engagements align with the CGC’s regional integration agenda to promote seamless trade across the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.

Reaffirming his dedication to effective border management, Adenuga pledged that the Seme Area Command would continue to balance Revenue Generation, Trade Facilitation, and National Security.
“We are building a smarter, safer, and more prosperous border corridor through technology, intelligence, and collaboration,” he assured.
Adenuga expressed gratitude to the CGC and management team of the NCS for their mentorship, as well as the military, NPF, DSS, NAFDAC, SON, traditional rulers, and the media for their support and partnership.
He also commended the officers and men of the Seme Command for their professionalism and dedication to duty.
“Your commitment continues to inspire this Command’s achievements and strengthens our resolve to serve with integrity and distinction,” he concluded.
The high point of the event was the handing over of the seized drugs and ten thousand bags of expired Flour to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA ,and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration NAFDAC.Receiving the seized marijuana and Codeine,from Comptroller Adenuga,Commander Narcotics,Ajoku Rita,thanked the SEME Customs Command boss,and praised the synergy and collaboration between the NCS ,Seme command and the NDLEA noting that collaboration is yielding dividends,as could be witnessed today.She assured that those who engage in legitimate trade has nothing to worry about,but affirmed that those engaging in illegitimate trade will always have their fingers burned as the narcotic agency will always come after them very hard.
Also receiving the 10,000 bags of expired Flour allegedly imported from Egypt,regulator officer ,NAFDAC,Dr Nurudeen Audu,thanked the SEME command for the timely intervention and seizure of the expired Flour.He said the expired Flour poses serious danger to the health and loves of Nigerians a d warned those involved in this wicked act the agency on collaboration with the Nigeria Customs service will always make life difficult for them by ensuring that do not succeed in this inhuman act.He assured that the NAFDAC would be unrelenting in ridding the country of fake and expired products.
The event also witnessed a tour of some facilities in the command,which include the examination bay,and Only God is Wise Nigeria Limited,the only bonded terminal in the command.
The Terminal Manager of the Bonded Terminal, Mr. Adetona Abidemi, stated that the company’s primary mission is to facilitate trade and promote ease of business operations along the Seme border corridor, not merely to store goods.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists at the company’s terminal, Abidemi explained that the firm operates as a strategic partner in trade facilitation, aligning its processes with the operational standards of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“We’re actually in the business of facilitation. More than keeping goods, it’s about making trade faster and easier — providing what agents need to make their work less stressful. That’s why we’re here,” Abidemi said.
He noted that the company operates under the same customs procedures applied at Nigerian seaports, dismissing the notion that land borders differ in regulation or enforcement.
“Whatever you experience in the seaports is what you should expect here. There’s nothing like ‘this is land border’. The Nigerian Customs Service is working efficiently and following laid-down rules. People need to understand that,” he clarified.

Addressing questions on operational challenges, the terminal manager cited low patronage as a major concern, noting that while customs operations are active and compliant, there is a need for more commercial engagement.
“Our major challenge is patronage. Customs are working and pushing goods here for examination, but we need more business from the commercial end. What we need is awareness — people need to know that this route is open, short, and cost-effective,” he explained.
He added that misconceptions and fears from past experiences had discouraged some traders, stressing that the corridor offers faster access to markets such as the Lagos Trade Fair complex within minutes.
On Vehicle Imports and Compliance, Abidemi clarified that vehicle importation through the terminal is not permitted, reiterating the company’s commitment to customs regulations.
“Cars are not allowed. We operate strictly under customs stipulations. Transit goods permitted by law are what can come through this terminal,” he stated.

While responding to questions on operational strength, Abidemi expressed confidence in the terminal’s capacity, revealing that the facility currently operates efficiently within available volume but has the infrastructure to handle much more.
“If I tell you we’re operating at 100%, best know that it’s within our current influx of business. We can optimize this facility to take 1,000% more if there’s greater trade volume,” he said.
He further highlighted the company’s investment in technology-driven operations, noting that Only God Is Wise Nigeria Limited has developed a digital platform to make payments and documentation easier for clearing agents.
“We have built our own app that allows agents to make payments directly and process transactions online. We’re committed to modernization,” he said.
On incentives, Abidemi disclosed that the company has maintained its operational charges since 2019 to support agents and attract more businesses.
“Since 2019, we’ve not changed a single thing in terms of how we charge. We understand that business is tough, so we’ve kept our rates stable. Our main aim here is facilitation, not exploitation,” he concluded.