Customs

Seme Customs cracks down on smugglers

— intercepts prohibited items worth

N501.8m

-rakes in ₦9.8b revenue in three months

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs service has renewed its onslaught on smugglers and other traders in illicit trade as its officers have intercepted various smuggled goods and other illicit products.

The Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, while giving the performance report of the command on Monday, May 25th, 2026, disclosed that the seized goods consist of narcotics, pharmaceutical products, edible items and petroleum products worth N501,845,772.

Giving the breakdown of the seizures made within three months of his assumption of office at the command, Comptroller Kaila said they included 1000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, substantial quantities of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and various sexual enhancement drugs lacking certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The products seized include one carton containing 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup (100ml each), 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine (30ml each), 10 cartons of Ultimate Plus Maca Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Super Sexy Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Machine Man Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, quantities of Bottom Up Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 100 packs of Tramaking, and 100 packs of Tempendol.

Others seized items include 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil, 103 kegs of 30 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bales of used clothing and the Duty Paid Value of all the aforementioned intercepted items is 501,845,772 Naira.

The seized narcotics and banned Pharmaceutical items have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further actions.

In a similar vein, the Command within the period under review grossed revenue in excess of N9.796billion which represents an increase of N7.610 billion collected with the corresponding period in 2025.

Comptroller Kaila attributed the achievement to strengthened compliance mechanisms, improved stakeholder cooperation, intensified anti-revenue leakage measures, enhanced operational efficiency, and the strategic deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.

He also praised the renewed dedication and vigilance demonstrated by officers and men of the Command which resulted to the commendation feat.

” We remain committed to sustaining these gains through institutional reforms, intelligence-driven monitoring, and transparent trade procedures capable of guaranteeing continuous revenue growth without obstructing legitimate trade activities.

“As one of Nigeria’s most strategic and busiest land border formations, the Seme Area Command occupies a critical position in regional and continental trade integration frameworks, particularly under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Area controller disclosed.

He however warned illicit traders to steer clear of the command which he said was not the hiding place for economic sabotage.

“Let me use this opportunity to issue a strong warning to smugglers and their collaborators that the Seme Area Command will not serve as a safe haven for illicit trade.

“The Command has significantly strengthened its intelligence network, enhanced surveillance capacity across land and maritime routes, and intensified collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies to combat trans-border crimes and economic sabotage.

“To compliant traders and legitimate business operators, I wish to reiterate that compliance remains the safest, fastest, and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade”

” At Seme Area Command, we remain resolute in our commitment to facilitating lawful trade while ensuring strict enforcement against illicit activities capable of undermining national economic interests” Comptroller Kaila declared.

Customs

Customs, NDLEA bust major drug syndicate, seize 9 containers of illicit goods worth N53.39 Billion at Apapa port

Funso OLOJO and Gloria Odion

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against illicit trade with the interception of nine containers laden with narcotics, expired pharmaceutical products and falsified medicines valued at N53.391 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

Speaking during the unveiling of the seizures on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the operation was made possible through intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection technology.

According to Adeniyi, the containers, which initially appeared to contain legitimate imports, were subjected to detailed intelligence analysis and verification that exposed sophisticated concealment methods used by the syndicate.

The seizures comprised:
A 40-foot container (CAAU7569127) containing 3,639 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Canadian Loud) weighing 1,819.5 kilograms, concealed alongside three imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts.

Another 40-foot container (HAMU3246311) conveying 9,918 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes, hidden with two imported vehicles and household items.

A 40-foot container (MRKU3816476) loaded with 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of Codeine Syrup, concealed with 38 cartons of insulated casserole dishes.

Another container (TGBU5399178) containing 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) of Codeine Syrup, hidden inside 36 cartons of casserole products.

Container HASU4519480 carrying 1,300 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Tramadol (Timakadol).

Container MRKU4961275 containing 1,269 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including Oxytocin injections, Mexclor Eye Drops and Carbamazepine tablets (Termigral brand).

Container PCIU8771576 conveying expired pharmaceutical products, including Cloxicillin capsules, Cynamine Vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections.

A 20-foot container (MRKU6964435) loaded with Piccan Teething Powder.

Container TCKU7000791 carrying 1,100 packages of CHACOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing a fake NAFDAC registration number (04-6646) and an expiry date of December 2028.

Adeniyi explained that the narcotic consignments would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while the expired and falsified pharmaceutical products would be transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation, regulatory action and safe disposal.

“In accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, narcotic drugs falling within the statutory jurisdiction of the NDLEA will today be formally handed over to the Agency for further investigation and prosecution.

“Similarly, expired pharmaceutical products will be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal.

“The remaining goods shall remain in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions as provided by law,” the CGC stated.

He stressed that the seizures represented far more than their monetary value.

“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” Adeniyi said.

The Customs boss commended officers and men of the Apapa Area Command for their professionalism, vigilance and dedication, while also praising the sustained collaboration among the NCS, NDLEA, NAFDAC and other security agencies.

“We shall continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all those who threaten our economy, compromise public health or undermine the security of our nation.

“Together with our partner agencies, we remain steadfast in protecting our borders, facilitating legitimate trade, preserving the health of our citizens and securing the future of our country,” he added.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, disclosed that the interception of 6,778.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud was the outcome of a painstaking intelligence-driven operation undertaken by the agency’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with foreign partners, particularly the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

According to Marwa, intelligence gathering and surveillance lasted for more than four months before the containers were intercepted.

“Over four months, actionable intelligence was carefully developed, and our marine surveillance officers tracked the vessels and containers throughout their journey until both were successfully intercepted,” he said.

The operation underscores the growing effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation and international intelligence sharing in disrupting transnational drug trafficking networks and preventing dangerous narcotics and counterfeit medicines from reaching the Nigerian market.

Customs

Wale Adeniyi, CGC, bags one-year tenure extension as WCO Council Chairman

Funso OLOJO, Editor

Few days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, by an additional six months, the World Customs Organization (WCO) has also renewed his tenure as Chairman of its Council for another one year.

The decision was unanimously endorsed by member countries during the 147th and 148th sessions of the WCO Council held in Brussels, Belgium, reaffirming the confidence of the global customs community in Adeniyi’s leadership.

Addressing members of the NCS management team who gave him a rousing welcome on his return to Nigeria on Monday, June 29, 2026, Adeniyi revealed that he had travelled to Brussels expecting to hand over the chairmanship but was instead entrusted with another one-year mandate.

“I sincerely appreciate your support. I went to Brussels believing I was going to hand over, but the outcome was different. The Council renewed my tenure for another one year, and I dedicate this achievement to the entire Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

Adeniyi made history in June 2025 when he became the first Nigerian to be elected Chairman of the WCO Council, the highest decision-making body of the global customs organisation.

The renewal of his international mandate comes just days after President Tinubu approved a six-month extension of his tenure as Comptroller-General of Customs, a development widely seen as a strong endorsement of his leadership, reform initiatives and outstanding performance both nationally and internationally.

In recognition of the milestone, the NCS management team presented the Comptroller-General with a symbolic souvenir to celebrate his exemplary leadership and contributions to the transformation of the Service.

Responding to the gesture, Adeniyi expressed appreciation to the management team for their unwavering support, describing the honour as a reflection of the unity, professionalism and shared commitment that exist within the Nigeria Customs Service.

The renewed confidence reposed in him by both the Federal Government and the international customs community is expected to further strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing reform agenda, deepen global partnerships, enhance trade facilitation and reinforce Nigeria’s growing influence in international customs administration.

Customs

Wale Adeniyi,CGC, bags tenure extension as WCO Chairman

Funso OLOJO, Editor

Few days after his tenure as the Comptroller- General of the Nigeria customs service was renewed by additional six months by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the World Customs Organization(WCO), has also followed suit by the renewal of the tenure of Adewale Adeniyi as the Council Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO).

The council members, at the 147th and 148th WCO sessions at Brussels, Belgium, were unanimous in their decision to allow Adeniyi to continue as the Chairman of the global Customs body.

While addressing his management team which gave his a rousing welcome on his return on Monday, June, 29th, 2026, the CGC said he went to Brussels to hand over but was rather rewarded with tenure extension.

“I sincerely appreciate your support. I went to Brussels believing I was going to hand over, but the outcome was different.

” The Council renewed my tenure for another one year, and I dedicate this achievement to the entire Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

Adeniyi was elected as the Chairman of the global Customs body in June 2025 as the first Nigerian to be so honored.

The renewal of his Council Chairmanship coincides with the renewal of his tenure by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the CGC by another six months, thus confirming the national and global recognition of his capacity, leadership qualities and exceptional performance as number one customs officer in Nigeria and the world.

Recognizing the rare feat achieved by the CGC, his management team welcomed him from the WCO council sessions with a symbolic souvenir that showed their love to their principal and exemplary leadership and contributions to the growth and transformation of the NCS.

Responding, CGC Adeniyi thanked the management team for their unwavering support, describing the gesture as a reflection of the unity and shared commitment within the Service.

He disclosed that he travelled to Brussels expecting to hand over the chairmanship of the WCO Council but was instead entrusted with another one-year mandate by members of the Council.

The renewed international mandate, alongside the extension of his tenure as CGC, reinforces confidence in his leadership and is expected to further advance the Service’s reform agenda, international partnerships, and trade facilitation efforts.