The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga has shown those smuggling prohibited items popularly called contraband pepper as he intercepted goods worth N1.99 billion along the Lagos-Badagry corridor.
The interception of the items which are enumerated in the Import Prohibition List (IPL) and Export Prohibition List (EPL) is seen as a bold initiative to combat smuggling activities in Nigeria’s premier border with the Republic of Benin.
IPL and EPL are put in place by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance and enforced by the Customs High Command across the country.
With the seizure, Adenuga who is barely one month in office has significantly boosted the revenue rake in by the command in recent times as he collected a whopping ₦1,500,029,233.88 in September, 2025.
The amount collected by the command differs significantly with the ₦531,462,332.45 it collected in August 2025.
Taking a cursory look at the figures, the amount collected by the command in September shows an increase of over 182% within the period under review.
The CAC who revealed this in his maiden press briefing at the Seme Area Command headquarters yesterday also highlighted the efforts of the command to execute its mandate.
He averred that the command has continued in its efforts in suppressing smuggling activities and enhancing revenue for NCS since he took the reins of office last month as its helmsman.
His words: “This outstanding performance reflects the effectiveness of the CGC’s reform agenda, focusing on compliance, transparency, and data-driven monitoring of goods, as well as the dedication of our officers and men who embody my vision of a modern, efficient, and accountable Customs Service. During the period under review, the operatives, through credible intelligence and robust inter-agency collaboration, executed significant seizures.
“The items intercepted included five (5) trucks transporting a total of 10,000 bags of expired flour from Egypt with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1,210,300,000 intercepted in a joint operation with NAFDAC. The health risks posed by consuming such expired products could have led to severe infections, food poisoning, and long-term health complications. Such hazardous goods also undermine local industries and erode consumer trust”.
He also disclosed that no fewer than 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (marijuana) intercepted through actionable intelligence just as 120 packs of Tramadol (120mg) seized by operatives, with two (2) suspects handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Command, on October 7th, 2025 for further investigation.
According to Adenuga, the social and psychological toll of such substances on our youth cannot be understated. Other significant seizures include 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 150 bales of second-hand clothing, 169 bottles of DSP cough syrup containing Codeine, and five used vehicles popularly called tokunbo.
The CAC revealed that in total, the DPV for all seizures stands at an impressive ₦1,999,093,429 just as he maintained that the feat underscored the command’s commitment to safeguarding public health and welfare while enhancing national revenue through effective customs operations.
Top officials of NDLEA and NAFDAC were at the venue of press briefing to witness the handover of the seizures of the illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals.
Adenuga used the occasion to emphasize that the recent results attained by the command was hinged on the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Alhaji Adewale Bashir Adeniyi’s philosophy that smuggling undermines the economy, deprives the nation of essential revenue, and threatens public welfare.
According to the Seme Area Command helmsman, diverting economic resources into smuggling is a waste, and such resources should instead support legitimate businesses that empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and create jobs.
The Customs Chief praised the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Navy (NN), for their collaboration in combating smuggling in the corridor, noting their efforts in seizing foreign parboiled rice in joint operations.
Following the Federal Government’s initiative to diversify the economy through non-oil exports, Adenuga revealed that the command successfully facilitated the export of 53,989.46 metric tons of goods, valued at ₦7,969,376,198.78. The Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fee amounted to ₦39,868,354.42.
Adenuga affirmed that the CGC’s strategic vision is rooted in consolidation, collaboration, and innovation, making trade facilitation central to NCS administration.
According to him, the CGC believes that streamlined processes reduce costs and enhance revenue generation.
He reiterated his commitment to transparency and modernization, aiming to simplify procedures, strengthen inter-agency cooperation, and ensure that legitimate traders benefit fully from NCS reforms along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.
He also expressed gratitude to the CGC and his management team at NCS headquarters for their support and mentorship even as he acknowledged the collaboration of various security agencies including the military, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Directorate of State Security (DSS), NAFDAC, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), as well as the co-operation of traditional rulers, community leaders, and the people of Badagry Local Government Area.
He also commended the press for their partnership and thanked stakeholders and the dedicated officers of NCS, Seme Area Command, for their commitment and excellence, which are vital to the command’s success and efforts to serve with integrity.
