The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, generated ₦19.84 billion between January and July 2026, surpassing its total revenue collection for the whole of 2025 by ₦3.89 billion, as the Command intensified collaboration with sister security and regulatory agencies to combat smuggling and cross-border crimes.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Seme Border in Badagry, Lagos State.
Kaila said the ₦19,840,280,788.50 generated within seven months represented a 24.45 per cent increase over the ₦15,941,258,676.01 collected by the Command in 2025.
He attributed the growth to improved compliance, enhanced stakeholder engagement and strengthened operational efficiency, stressing that effective enforcement and trade facilitation remained complementary responsibilities of the Service.
The Customs boss also highlighted the importance of collaboration with sister security and regulatory agencies in securing the border and disrupting criminal networks operating across the corridor.
According to him, intelligence sharing and joint operations had contributed significantly to the Command’s ability to intercept illicit consignments, protect national security and safeguard the economy.
Among the major seizures recorded were 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, which Kaila said were intercepted through intelligence-driven operations.
He noted that the explosives posed a serious security threat because of their potential use in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The explosive materials, alongside one suspect, have been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.
The Command also intercepted 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 illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and necessary action.
The Command further seized 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, following intelligence that the products were being conveyed under a false declaration as food items.
According to Kaila, some of the noodles had deteriorated and were decomposing, while intelligence indicated that they were intended for repackaging and relabelling before being introduced into Nigerian markets.
He said the interception prevented potentially dangerous food products from reaching consumers, underscoring the role of border enforcement in protecting public health.
Other seizures included 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, a used speedboat, a used water bike, a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, a 2016 Toyota RAV4 and a 2010 Nissan Versa.
The total Duty Paid Value of the seized items stood at ₦365,163,709.
Kaila said the rice seizures also demonstrated the economic importance of anti-smuggling operations, noting that illicit imports undermine government revenue, agricultural policies, local production and the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.
He assured legitimate traders that the Command would continue to facilitate compliant trade while denying smugglers access to the border corridor.
He said the Command remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s economic reforms, promoting regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and strengthening partnerships with security and regulatory agencies.
Kaila commended the agencies for their cooperation, intelligence sharing and commitment to national security, stressing that sustained collaboration remained critical to securing Nigeria’s borders while creating an enabling environment for legitimate cross-border commerce.