Seme Customs Intercepts Expired Noodles, Explosives, Drugs Worth ₦365.16m,

   

Victoria Silvanus

The Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted a large cache of smuggled goods, including 1,306 sacks of expired noodles, 3,300 explosive cartridges, illicit drugs, foreign rice and smuggled vehicles, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦365.16 million.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Seme Border in Badagry, Lagos State, on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, said the seizures were a testament to the Command's commitment to protecting Nigeria's economy, public health and national security.

Kaila explained that the interception of the expired noodles followed credible intelligence and sustained surveillance operations by Customs officers.

According to him, the truck conveying the products was falsely declared as carrying food items, but a thorough examination revealed 1,306 sacks of expired and decomposing noodles weighing 50 kilograms each.

He disclosed that intelligence gathered by the Command indicated that the products were intended to be repackaged, relabelled and sold to unsuspecting consumers in Nigerian markets.

"Had this shipment succeeded, countless families would have been exposed to serious health hazards ranging from food poisoning and gastrointestinal diseases to other life-threatening medical complications. By intercepting these products, the Nigeria Customs Service has once again demonstrated that border security is also a form of public health protection," Kaila stated.

The Controller also announced the seizure of 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, smuggled into the country through illegal routes.

He noted that such activities undermine the Federal Government's agricultural policies, discourage local rice production and threaten the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.

In its continued crackdown on illicit drugs and harmful substances, the Command 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 warned that the substances posed serious threats to public safety and were often linked to criminal activities and substance abuse.

"These are not ordinary commodities; they are dangerous products capable of destroying lives, fueling criminality, encouraging substance abuse and undermining the future of our young people," he said.

On national security, the Customs boss disclosed that officers intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being illegally conveyed through the border corridor.

He described the seizure as one of the most significant due to its potential use in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

"Explosives of this nature have devastating consequences when they fall into the hands of criminal elements. The successful interception demonstrates the vigilance, professionalism and intelligence-driven operations of our officers working in close collaboration with sister security agencies," he said.

Kaila revealed that the explosives had already been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.

Other items seized by the Command include one used speedboat, one used water bike, a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, a 2016 Toyota RAV4 and a 2010 Nissan Versa.

He stressed that the Command's intensified intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operations were yielding positive results and disrupting the activities of economic saboteurs.

"To those engaged in smuggling activities, our message remains unequivocal: Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage," he declared.

On revenue generation, Kaila disclosed that the Command generated ₦19.84 billion between January and July 2026, surpassing the entire ₦15.94 billion collected in the whole of 2025.

According to him, the seven-month revenue figure exceeded the previous year's total collection by ₦3.9 billion, representing a 24.45 per cent increase.

He attributed the achievement to improved compliance, enhanced stakeholder engagement and strengthened operational efficiency.

"This achievement demonstrates that effective enforcement and efficient trade facilitation are complementary responsibilities. While we continue to deny smugglers opportunities to undermine the economy, we remain equally committed to creating an enabling environment for compliant traders to conduct legitimate business with ease and predictability," Kaila added.

The Controller further disclosed that the illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products seized by the Command would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and necessary action.

He reaffirmed the Command's commitment to supporting the Federal Government's economic reforms, facilitating legitimate trade, promoting regional commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ensuring that smugglers find no safe haven within the Seme border corridor.