The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Border Command reported that in September 2025, it brought in N1,500,029,233.88 for the federal government.
Additionally, the Command revealed that during the reviewed period, it enabled the export of products valued at N7,969,376,198.78.
The command also intercepted and seized five trucks carrying 10,000 bags of expired flour that came from Egypt, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,210,300,000.00, according to Comptroller A.O. Adenuga, Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, who made this announcement during a press briefing in Lagos. In a joint operation with NAFDAC, 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) were intercepted through actionable intelligence, he added.
The Customs head also said that five used cars, 150 bales of used clothing, 169 bottles of DSP cough syrup with codeine, and 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kg apiece) were among the other things confiscated.
He just provided the amount of N1,999,093,429.00.
“I extend a warm welcome to everyone attending the Seme Area Command’s first press briefing,” stated Comptroller Adenuga. I am incredibly honored to take on the leadership of this Command, a role I formally assumed on September 8, 2025, to the glory of Almighty God and thanks to the kind trust that the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his distinguished management team placed in me. This event offers a significant chance to give an overview of my leadership and to discuss the advancements we have all made together in this brief but exciting time. We have achieved impressive progress in carrying out our primary duties, driven by the commitment and professionalism of the officers and men of this Command as well as the vision and reform-oriented attitude of the Comptroller General of Customs.
He stated that upon taking office, he made trade facilitation the defining feature of his administration in accordance with the CGC’s strategic vision, which is based on the policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation. He did this because he believed that trade facilitation would streamline procedures, lower costs, and increase revenue.
“The Seme Area Command has stepped up efforts to streamline processes, improve interagency coordination, and guarantee that lawful traders reap the full benefits of Customs modernization and regional integration along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor, guided by the CGC’s dedication to transparency and modernization.”
According to Compt. Adenuga, the command generated a total of One Billion, Five Hundred Million, Twenty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Three Naira, and Eighty-Eight Kobo (N1,500,029,233.88) in September 2025 under the renewed vigor inspired by the CGC’s leadership. This is in contrast to the five hundred and thirty-one million, four hundred and sixty-two thousand, three hundred and thirty-two Naira, and forty-five kobo N531,462,332.45 only collected in August 2025. This represents an exceptional increase of over 182%.
The effectiveness of the CGC’s reform plan, which is based on compliance, transparency, and data-driven goods monitoring, as well as the commitment of the officers and men who continue to uphold his vision of a contemporary, functional, and accountable Customs Service, are demonstrated by this exceptional performance.
Regarding the facilitation of non-oil exports, the Comptroller stated that the Command facilitated the export of fifty-three thousand, nine hundred and eighty-nine point four six (53,989.46) metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of seven billion, nine hundred and sixty-nine million, three hundred and seventy-six thousand, one hundred and ninety-eight thousand naira, and seventy-eight kobo (N7,969,376,198.78). This was in direct compliance with the CGC’s directive to promote legitimate export trade.
The exports, which included manufactured goods and agricultural produce, showed the renewed confidence of exporters in the Seme command as a viable trade hub under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), he added, adding that the total Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fee was N39,868,354.42 only.
Regarding anti-smuggling, Adenuga stated: “Seme Command is steadfast in its resolve to combat smuggling and safeguard economic stability, public health, and national security under the direction of the CGC’s zero-tolerance policy on smuggling.
The following noteworthy seizures were made by our operatives during the period under review thanks to credible intelligence and strong inter-agency collaboration: Five (5) trucks carrying 10,000 bags of expired flour from Egypt, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,210,300,000.00 (N1,210,300,000.00) only, were intercepted in a joint operation with NAFDAC.
“Eating such expired goods could have put one at risk for serious illnesses, food poisoning, and other long-term health issues.
In addition to having negative health effects, these unhealthy products damage regional businesses and weaken consumer confidence.
One thousand one hundred and four (1,104) packages of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) intercepted by actionable intelligence. It is impossible to overestimate the negative social and psychological effects of such narcotics on our young people.
On October 7, 2025, our agents recovered 120 packs of 120 mg tramadol, and two suspects were turned over to the NDLEA, Seme command for additional investigation.
5 used cars, 150 bales of used clothing, 169 bottles of DSP cough syrup with codeine, and 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kg apiece) are among the other items that were confiscated.
The Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all seizures, he revealed, was N1,999,093,429.00, or one billion, nine hundred and ninety-nine million, ninety-three thousand, four hundred and twenty-nine Naira.
These findings support the CGC’s operational tenet that smuggling is an economic sabotage that jeopardizes public welfare and deprives the country of essential revenue. Our stance on the Lagos-Abidjan route is unambiguous: any financial resources that are diverted into smuggling will be a huge waste; instead, they should be directed on legal ventures that have the potential to empower thousands of SMEs and generate employment.
The Nigerian Navy (NN) in particular deserves special recognition for its assistance in the battle against smuggling in this corridor. By repeatedly turning over foreign parboiled rice that was intercepted and confiscated on the waterways and their environs, the NN FOB Badagry has shown that we are allies in our battle against smuggling, and we greatly appreciate it.
The command organized two significant stakeholder engagements from October 6–7, 2025, in keeping with the CGC’s emphasis on stakeholder involvement. Significant resolutions were established to eliminate numerous checkpoints, extortion, and other commercial barriers at the inaugural meeting, which brought together heads of security agencies, traditional leaders, and important stakeholders along the Seme–Krake corridor.
“Every agency reaffirmed their dedication to eliminating pointless checkpoints and guaranteeing the smooth flow of lawful people and goods without jeopardizing national security.” Businesspeople, licensed customs agents from both sides of the border, and our Benin Republic customs counterparts participated in the second engagement. In line with the CGC’s regional integration objective, this cooperative forum sought to further fortify the Lagos–Abidjan trade corridor and coordinate border procedures.
Gentlemen of the press, the Seme Area Command is steadfast in striking a balance between the three pillars of national security, trade facilitation, and revenue generation, all under the visionary leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
Through proactive intelligence, stakeholder collaboration, and technology, we will keep improving our operational efficiency. Our shared goal is to keep the Seme-Krake border a gateway to prosperity rather than crime.
In complete accordance with the CGC’s modernization plan, we are constructing a border corridor that is safer, smarter, and more prosperous in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders.
“The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the entire management team have my sincere gratitude for their steadfast support, inspiring leadership, and priceless mentoring.
Additionally, I would want to express my gratitude to the Military, the NPF, DSS, NAFDAC, SON, and other pertinent security agencies for their ongoing cooperation. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to the community leaders and traditional rulers, as well as the good citizens of Badagry Local Government, for their outstanding collaboration and partnership.
“I also commend the diligent members of the press, who are our unwavering allies in progress.”
“To our valued stakeholders and, most importantly, the committed officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, your dedication, hard work, and excellence continue to be the key to our success as a team. Thank you so much, everyone. Your commitment keeps motivating the accomplishments of this Command and fortifying our determination to serve honorably and with distinction,” Comptroller Adenuga exclaimed.
