The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, on Monday unveiled a sweeping operational scorecard showing major gains in revenue generation, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling enforcement within barely three months of intensified border operations.
Addressing journalists and stakeholders at the Command headquarters, the Customs Area Controller, Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed that the Command generated N9.79 billion between March and May 2026, describing the performance as one of the most significant revenue leaps recorded at the border formation in recent years.
Kaila said the figure represented a sharp increase of N7.61 billion compared to the N2.18 billion collected within the corresponding period in 2025, translating to an impressive 448 per cent growth.
He attributed the remarkable performance to stricter compliance measures, improved collaboration with stakeholders, enhanced operational efficiency and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System across command operations.
The Customs boss further explained that intensified monitoring mechanisms and anti-revenue leakage strategies had strengthened accountability while boosting confidence among legitimate traders operating along the corridor.
According to him, the Command remains committed to sustaining the momentum through transparent trade procedures, intelligence-driven enforcement and institutional reforms aimed at supporting the economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Kaila described the Seme border corridor as one of Nigeria’s most strategic trade gateways under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
He noted that the Command had expanded engagement with freight forwarders, customs agents, transport unions, exporters, importers and traditional institutions in order to remove operational bottlenecks and improve trade efficiency.
The Comptroller explained that regular consultations with stakeholders had simplified cargo clearance procedures, improved compliance awareness and strengthened trust between Customs authorities and the trading public.
He added that officers of the Command were also providing technical guidance to Small and Medium Enterprises seeking opportunities in regional and international export markets.
On anti-smuggling operations, Kaila revealed that aggressive intelligence-led enforcement activities had resulted in several high-profile interceptions along the Seme-Badagry corridor and adjoining routes.
Among the major seizures was 1,000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa intercepted during coordinated patrol operations aimed at dismantling trans-border narcotics networks operating within the axis.
He disclosed that the illicit drugs would be formally transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.
The Command also intercepted large quantities of unregistered pharmaceutical products including codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs suspected to have been smuggled into the country without regulatory approval.
Items seized included cartons of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup, Super Sexy Sildenafil Citrate, Machine Man Sildenafil Citrate, 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine, Tramaking and Tempendol products.
Kaila stated that the pharmaceutical products violated provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and lacked certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
He added that the seized medical products would be handed over to NAFDAC for regulatory action and further examination.
The Command equally recorded major seizures of other prohibited goods including 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 340 kegs of foreign vegetable oil intercepted in separate operations.
Also seized were 103 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti and 250 bales of used clothing smuggled through unauthorised routes.
According to the Customs Area Controller, the Duty Paid Value of all intercepted items stood at N501.84 million.
Kaila maintained that the seizures reflected the Command’s zero tolerance for smuggling, economic sabotage and activities capable of undermining local industries and public safety.
He warned smugglers and their collaborators to steer clear of the Seme corridor, stressing that the Command had strengthened intelligence gathering, surveillance systems and inter-agency collaboration across land and maritime routes.
The Comptroller, however, assured compliant traders and legitimate operators that Customs remained committed to facilitating lawful trade through efficient dispute resolution channels and seamless clearance procedures.
He commended officers and men of the Command for their discipline, resilience and professionalism, while also appreciating host communities, stakeholders and the media for supporting Customs operations within the border corridor.
Kaila reaffirmed that the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, would continue to balance revenue generation with border security, trade facilitation and national economic development.