By Sandra Chukwunyere
In a significant blow to smugglers, the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has seized 10,000 bags of expired flour valued at over ₦1 billion The Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Wale Adenuga,made the seizure after weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering along the Seme axis. The expired flour, concealed in trucks and warehouses, posed a significant public health risk had it entered the Nigerian market from Egypt.
The operation, which resulted in the seizure of various contraband, including smuggled vehicles, foreign rice, and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), underscores the command’s renewed determination to protect Nigeria’s borders.
The seized items also included bales of used clothing and consignments of Indian hemp.
Comptroller Adenuga emphasized that the success of the operation was a result of the synergy among various security agencies, including the Nigerian Navy and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The Seme Area Command generated ₦1.5 billion in revenue for the month of September 2025, a testament to the improved compliance level of traders and the command’s intensified vigilance at the border.
Comptroller Adenuga attributed the success to the collaboration between the Customs Service, the Nigerian Navy, and NAFDAC, which enabled the tracking, interception, and confiscation of the illegal consignments.
The command’s efforts to curb smuggling activities have been commended by stakeholders in the maritime and trade sectors. The Seme Border, a major gateway between Nigeria and the Benin Republic, has long been a hotspot for smugglers. However, with the renewed enforcement strategy, the command has successfully disrupted several smuggling networks.
The seized items, now in Customs custody, will be processed according to existing regulations. The expired flour and other hazardous goods will be destroyed in line with environmental safety standards. Comptroller Adenuga warned that those who engage in smuggling activities will face the full weight of the law, emphasizing that smuggling is an act of sabotage against the nation’s economy.
Contra
Contraband products
The Nigeria Customs Service has urged the public to support its efforts in exposing and discouraging smuggling operations. Comptroller Adenuga stressed that smuggling affects everyone, denying the government revenue, killing local industries, and putting citizens at risk.
The command’s efforts have been hailed as a significant step towards protecting the nation’s economy and ensuring public safety.
The Seme Area Command’s success is a testament to the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to national security and consumer protection. The command’s efforts have resulted in the seizure of contraband worth millions of naira, a significant blow to smugglers and a warning to those who engage in illicit activities.
The Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while tackling economic crimes that threaten the nation’s well-being. The Seme Area Command will continue to strengthen border surveillance, using intelligence gathering, technology, and community partnerships to disrupt smuggling activities.
