By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Customs Service Seme Area Command, on Monday said it generated N9.79 billion in revenue between March and May 2026, representing a 448 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Command headquarters, the Customs Area Controller, Abdullahi Kaila, said the Command collected a total of N9,798,938,969 within the review period, against N2,188,405,749 generated during the same period in 2025.
He attributed the sharp increase in revenue generation to strengthened compliance mechanisms, improved collaboration with stakeholders, enhanced operational efficiency, intensified anti-revenue leakage measures, and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
Kaila noted that the dedication and vigilance of officers and men of the Command also contributed significantly to the improved performance.
He stated that the Command would sustain the momentum through institutional reforms, intelligence-driven monitoring, and transparent trade procedures aimed at promoting legitimate trade without compromising revenue collection.
The Customs boss described the Seme border corridor as one of Nigeria’s busiest and most strategic land borders, playing a critical role in regional and continental trade integration under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
According to him, the Command has intensified engagement with freight forwarders, licensed customs agents, transport unions, importers, exporters, traditional institutions, and other security agencies operating along the corridor to address operational bottlenecks and improve compliance.
He added that officers of the Command have continued to provide guidance to Small and Medium Enterprises seeking access to regional and international markets, particularly in export documentation and regulatory compliance.
On anti-smuggling operations, Kaila disclosed that the Command recorded major seizures within the last three months through intelligence-led patrols and surveillance operations conducted along the Seme-Badagry corridor and adjoining routes.
He revealed that the Command intercepted 1,000 parcels of cannabis sativa, which he said originated from Ghana, alongside several unregistered pharmaceutical products and other prohibited goods.
The seized drugs included codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs without certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
Items intercepted, according to him, included 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup, 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine, cartons of sildenafil citrate products branded as Ultimate Plus Maca, Super Sexy, Machine Man, as well as quantities of Bottom Up Sildenafil Citrate, Tramaking, and Tempendol.
He said the cannabis sativa would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution, while the pharmaceutical products would be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action.
The Comptroller further disclosed that the Command seized 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of foreign vegetable oil, 103 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bales of used clothing. He put the Duty Paid Value of all seized items at N501,845,772.
Kaila warned smugglers and their collaborators to steer clear of the Seme axis, stressing that the Command had strengthened its intelligence network and surveillance operations across land and maritime routes.
He reiterated that the Command would maintain zero tolerance for smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage capable of undermining local industries and national security.
While fielding questions from journalists after the briefing, the Comptroller disclosed that six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. He, however, noted that the suspects were granted administrative bail pending further investigations.
He commended officers and men of the Command for their resilience and professionalism, while also appreciating stakeholders, host communities, and the media for their continued support and collaboration with the Service.
Kaila reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to balancing revenue generation, trade facilitation, border security, and national economic development.
