Seme Border, Badagry | August 11, 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has intercepted contraband worth ₦365,163,709 including expired noodles, cannabis, explosives and smuggled vehicles, as it ramps up enforcement to protect public health and national security.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Seme Command in Badagry, Lagos State.
*Public Health Saved: 1,306 Sacks of Decomposing Noodles Seized*
Kaila said officers intercepted a truck falsely declared as carrying food items. Upon examination, they found 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles weighing 50kg each.
“Many of the products had already deteriorated and were visibly decomposing. Intelligence revealed the intention was to repackage, relabel and introduce these into Nigerian markets,” he said.
He warned the shipment could have caused food poisoning and other life-threatening illnesses.
In separate operations, the Command also seized 1,268 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice smuggled through illegal routes. Kaila noted that such smuggling undermines government agricultural policy and hurts local rice farmers.
*Drugs, Cigarettes and Security Threats Disrupted*
The Command also intercepted illicit drugs and harmful substances including:
– *373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa*
– *90 packs of Tramaking 250mg*
– *69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg*
– *310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes*
Kaila linked the drugs to cultism, armed robbery and violent crimes, adding that smuggled cigarettes evade health regulations and duties.
In what he described as the most dangerous seizure, officers intercepted *3,300 cartridges of explosive materials* being conveyed through the border corridor. The explosives, along with one suspect, have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for further investigation.
*Vehicles and Revenue Gains*
Other seizures include one used speedboat, one water bike, one Toyota Land Cruiser 2017, one Toyota RAV4 2016, and one Nissan Versa 2010.
On revenue, Kaila said Seme Command collected ₦15.94 billion in 2025. But between January and July 2026, it has already generated ₦19.84 billion — a 24.45% increase and ₦3.89 billion more than the entire 2025 collection.
“This shows that enforcement and trade facilitation can work together. While we block smugglers, we are also creating an enabling environment for compliant traders,” he stated.
*Inter-Agency Handover and Warning to Smugglers*
The CAC said the seized drugs and pharmaceuticals will be handed to NDLEA and NAFDAC, while commending sister agencies for intelligence sharing.
“To those engaged in smuggling, our message is clear: Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,” Kaila warned.
He added that the Command remains committed to supporting Federal Government economic reforms and regional trade under AfCFTA.
The briefing had in attendance representatives of sister security agencies, border community stakeholders and members of the press.
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Want this trimmed further to a 300-word version for daily newspapers, or should I keep this full detail for online/news agency use?
