SEME CUSTOMS COMMAND RECORDS MILESTONES in REVENUE , TRADE AND ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS


 The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced major strides in revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling operations, reinforcing its critical role in Nigeria’s economic and border security.

Addressing journalists during his second media briefing since taking office, the Area Controller, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, detailed achievements recorded between March 13 and May 13, 2025.

According to Dr. Oramalugo, the command generated a total of Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven Million, Fifty-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Nine Naira, Thirty Kobo  (₦847,058,879.30 ) of revenue in April alone. A performance he attributed to the dedication and professionalism of officers of the Command.

 “This milestone reflects the efficiency and diligence of our officers in monitoring and processing legitimate cross-border trade activities,” he said.
The command also played a vital role in supporting the Federal Government’s drive for economic diversification. Within the review period,  Two Thousand and Twenty Nine (2,029) trucks carrying over 88,000 metric tonnes of made-in-Nigeria goods were processed for export. The exported goods, with a Free on Board (FOB) value of Sixteen Billion , Nine Hundred Million, Nine Hundred and Eight-Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty One Naira , Ten Kobo (₦16.9billion), underscore the growing momentum of non-oil trade through the Seme corridor.
In a series of intelligence-driven operations, the command intercepted foreign Coins worth about Eight Million, Nine Hundred and  Seventy-Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty one Naira(₦8,975,281).

The foreign Coins are classified under item 18 of Schedule 4 of The common External Tariff (CET) which prohibits the Importation of  "Silver or Metal Allot Coins not being a legal tender in Nigeria"


In another significant security-related seizures involved a Toyota Avensis with registration number GGE 667 JN, intercepted along the Badagry-Lagos Expressway. Upon inspection, officers discovered six canisters of corrosive mercury, suspected to be components for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), concealed beneath five cartons of the Holy Qur'an. One suspect was arrested in connection with the incident.

Other major seizures during the period include:

553 parcels of cannabis sativa (marijuana)

1,415 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each)

750 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 30 liters each

30 cartons of tobacco

50 cartons of tomato ketchup

One boat and engine

50 bales of second-hand clothing

Five vehicles used for smuggling

Unregistered pharmaceuticals, including 420 bottles of CA-C100 Vitamin C and Haldol injection (5ml)

The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items during the review period was put at Six Hundred and Sixty Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty six Naira (₦669,785,236.)

Comptroller Oramalugo emphasized the command’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s economic and border security through sustained anti-smuggling efforts and trade facilitation. He called for continued cooperation from stakeholders, border communities, and security agencies to consolidate these gains.

With continued vigilance, inter-agency collaboration, and community support, we are confident in our ability to further safeguard the nation's economic interests,” he concluded.

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