In a renewed offensive against smuggling activities, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Seme Border Command has intercepted five trucks loaded with smuggled goods, including 2,800 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 250 bales of used clothing.
Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, Customs Area Controller of the Command, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists at the border post. He said the seizures, made between July 1st and 19th, 2025, were the result of intelligence-driven and coordinated enforcement operations along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
“The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized rice and the means of conveyance is N919.5 million,” Oramalugo stated.
In addition to the rice and clothing, the Command also recorded significant seizures of 898 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (marijuana), 1,319 additional bags of smuggled rice, 40 bags of sugar, 64 bags of flour, 50 cartons of tomato ketchup, a boat and engine, 20 bales of second-hand clothing, and 4 bales of used shoes. The total DPV of all seizures within the period stood at N1.26 billion.
Oramalugo attributed the success of the operations to the vigilance, resilience, and unwavering commitment of his officers, as well as the collaborative efforts of other security agencies, particularly the Nigerian military.
Commenting on the rice seizures, the Comptroller emphasized the importance of the Federal Government’s ban on rice importation through land borders, aimed at supporting local farmers and millers.
“Nigeria remains the highest producer of rice in Africa with an annual output of over 8 million metric tonnes. Yet, our rice mills suffer from inadequate patronage due to the influx of foreign rice,” he noted.
On export activities, Oramalugo said the Command facilitated the movement of 1,837 trucks carrying over 116,723.26 metric tonnes of made-in-Nigeria goods between May and July 2025. These non-oil exports, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N22.3 billion, generated NESS fees amounting to over N111.8 million.
He also disclosed that the Command generated a total revenue of N1.59 billion within the same period through legitimate trade activities.
Following the seizure of Cannabis Sativa, Oramalugo formally handed over 898 parcels to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Representing the NDLEA Commander at the event, Idris Muhammed expressed appreciation for the synergy between both agencies and pledged continued collaboration to combat drug trafficking.
He affirmed that the agency would thoroughly investigate the case and prosecute those involved in accordance with the law.
