By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted explosive materials, expired noodles, cannabis, pharmaceutical drugs, cigarettes and other prohibited items in a series of operations aimed at curbing smuggling and cross-border crimes.
The seizures, according to the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, were made through intelligence-led operations and sustained surveillance along the Seme border corridor.
Among the items intercepted were 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilograms.
Kaila, who disclosed the seizures while briefing stakeholders at the border, said the noodles were already deteriorating and were allegedly intended for repackaging and introduction into the Nigerian market.
He described the discovery as particularly disturbing, warning that the products could have exposed unsuspecting consumers to serious health risks if they had entered the market.
“Acting on intelligence and sustained surveillance, our officers subjected the consignment to thorough examination and uncovered 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilograms,” he said.
According to him, intelligence gathered by the command indicated that the expired products were to be repackaged, relabelled and sold to unsuspecting Nigerians.
Kaila said the seizure underscored the role of the Customs Service in protecting not only Nigeria’s economy but also public health.
In another operation, the command intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, after the consignments were smuggled through illegal routes.
He said the illegal importation of rice not only deprived the government of legitimate revenue but also undermined efforts to promote domestic agriculture and support local rice farmers.
The command also recorded significant seizures in its fight against illicit drugs and other restricted products.
The intercepted items included 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.
Kaila said the seizures had helped to disrupt illicit supply chains and prevent potentially harmful substances from reaching communities.
He noted that the smuggling of illicit drugs and other prohibited products could contribute to substance abuse and other criminal activities, while smuggled cigarettes evade regulatory controls and statutory duties.
In what the command described as one of its major security interceptions, Customs officers also seized 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being illegally transported through the border corridor.
Kaila said the explosives posed a serious national security threat because of their potential use by criminal elements.
He disclosed that the materials had been handed over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force for safe custody and further investigation.
The Customs boss attributed the successes recorded by the command to intelligence gathering, surveillance and cooperation with other security agencies operating along the border.
He said the command had also intercepted one used speedboat, one used water bike, a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, a 2016 Toyota RAV4 and a 2010 Nissan Versa, with a combined Duty Paid Value of N365.1 million.
Beyond its enforcement activities, the Seme Area Command also recorded significant growth in revenue collection.
Kaila said the command generated N19.8 billion between January and July 2026, compared with N15.9 billion collected during the whole of 2025.
The seven-month revenue figure, he said, represents an increase of N3.899 billion, or 24.45 per cent, over the command’s total revenue collection for 2025.
He said the improvement reflected increased compliance, stronger engagement with stakeholders and enhanced operational efficiency.
Kaila assured that the command would continue to balance enforcement with the facilitation of legitimate trade, stressing that the fight against smuggling and cross-border crimes remained a priority.
He added that the command’s renewed intelligence-driven approach would continue to target individuals and networks involved in activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s economy, public safety and national security.
