Kaila Cracks Down on Smugglers at Seme Border, Seizes Contraband Worth N365m
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, under Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, has intensified its anti-smuggling operations, intercepting contraband with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦365.16 million within two months. The seizures included 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, 1,306 sacks of expired noodles, 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, illicit drugs, cigarettes and several vehicles. The explosives have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and investigation.
Other seized items include 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of cigarettes. Customs also intercepted a used speedboat, water bike, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Versa. Kaila said the seizures demonstrated the Command’s intelligence-driven approach to protecting national security, public health and the economy.
The Command also intercepted a truck falsely declared to contain food items but found to be carrying 1,306 sacks of expired and decomposing noodles, each weighing 50kg. Intelligence indicated that the products were allegedly destined for repackaging and sale in Nigerian markets. Kaila said the seizure prevented potentially dangerous food products from reaching unsuspecting consumers, while the rice seizures also protected local farmers and government agricultural policies.
Beyond enforcement, the Seme Command recorded a significant revenue increase. It generated ₦19.84 billion between January and July 2026, surpassing its entire 2025 collection of ₦15.94 billion by ₦3.90 billion, representing a 24.45 per cent increase. Kaila attributed the performance to improved compliance, stakeholder engagement, efficient operations and strengthened trade facilitation.
Kaila declared that “Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,” warning smugglers that the Command would continue to deploy intelligence and inter-agency collaboration against cross-border crimes. He said the Command remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade, supporting the Federal Government’s economic reforms and promoting regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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