 |
| Comptroller Wale Adenuga, addressing journalists and stakeholders |
By Stella Okocha
Harboursandportcom: Lagos, Nigeria -October 10, 2025: The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS , Seme Border Command through its new Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, made a remarkable seizure of five trucks conveying a total of 10,000 bags expired flour, with a Duty Paid Value, DPV N1,210 billion.
Comptroller Adenuga disclosed this during his maiden press briefing on Thursday at the Seme Krake border; noting that the consignment which originated from Egypt, came through the Benin Republic border and was seized in a joint operation with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
The Customs Area Controller, CAC pointed out that under the guidance of the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC’s zero-tolerance stance on smuggling, Seme Command remains unwavering in its commitment to suppress smuggling and protect national security, public health and economic stability; adding that the health risks associated with consuming such expired products could have led to severe infections, food poisoning, and long-term health complications. "Beyond health implications, such unwholesome goods undermine local industries and erode consumer trust", he said
 |
| parcels of Cannabis Sativa |
 |
| Handing over of parcels of Cannabis Sativa to commander NDLEA, Seme border, Ajoko Rita. |
Aside the expired flour; 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (India Hemp) were intercepted through actionable intelligence. 120 packs of tramadol of 120 milligrams was also seized by their operatives, with two suspects handed over to the NDLEA, Seme Command on October 7th, 2025 for further investigation.
"The social and psychological toll of such substances on our youth can not be overstated."
 |
| Some seized bags of rice |
 |
| Seized bales of clothes |
Other items seized include: 2,043 bags of foreign par-boiled rice (50kg each); 150 bales of second-hand clothing; 169 bottles of DSP Cough Syrup with Codeine and five used vehicles.
The total DPV for all the seized items stood at N1.9 billion.
The CAC recounted that through the gracious confidence reposed in him by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team, he is deeply honoured to have assumed leadership of the Command, a responsibility he officially took over on the 8th of September, 2025.
"This occasion presents an important opportunity to render an account of my stewardship and to share the progress we have collectively achieved within this short but eventful period. Guided by the vision and reform-driven philosophy of the Comptroller General of Customs and propelled by the dedication and professionalism of the officers and men of this Command, we have made remarkable strides in fulfilling our core mandates.
One the issue of combating snuggling, he said, "These results underscore the CGC’s operational philosophy that smuggling is an economic sabotage that robs the nation of vital revenue and endangers public welfare. Our position is clear along the Lagos-Abidjan that any economic resource diverted into smuggling will be a colossal waste; it will be better to channel such resources into legitimate business that could empower thousands of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and create jobs".
"It is worthy of note to commend the Nigerian Armed Forces, especially the Nigerian Navy (NN), for their support in the fight against smuggling in this corridor. The NN FOB Badagry has demonstrated that we are partners in this fight against smuggling by severally handing over foreign parboiled rice intercepted and seized on the waterways and its surrounding, we really appreciate them for that".
Speaking on the revenue performance of the Command, he told journalists that, "Under the renewed vigour inspired by the CGC’s leadership, the Command generated a total of One Billion, Five Hundred Million, Twenty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Three Naira and Eighty-Eight Kobo (₦1,500,029,233.88) in September 2025, compared to Five Hundred and Thirty-One Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty-Two Naira and Forty-Five Kobo (₦531,462,332.45) only collected in August 2025, representing an exceptional increase of over 182%".
He added that this outstanding performance reflects the effectiveness of the CGC’s reform agenda built on compliance, transparency and data-driven monitoring of goods as well as the dedication of officers and men who continue to embody his vision of a modern, efficient and accountable Customs Service.
Regarding the Non-oil Export Facilitation, he said,In alignment with the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy through non-oil exports and in direct compliance with the CGC’s directive to promote legitimate export trade, the Command facilitated the export of Fifty-Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Nine Point Four Six Metric Tonnes (53,989.46) metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of Seven Billion, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety-Eight Naira and Seventy-Eight Kobo (₦7,969,376,198.78) only.
The total Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fee also stood at Thirty-Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira, Forty-Two Kobo (₦39,868,354.42) only.
He added that these exports, comprising agricultural produce and manufactured goods, demonstrate the renewed confidence of exporters in the Seme Command as a viable trade hub under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).
11.During the period under review, our operatives through credible intelligence and strong inter-agency collaboration, made significant seizures notably:
•Five (5) trucks conveying a total of 10,000 bags of expired flour originating from Egypt, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Billion, Two Hundred and Ten Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1,210,300,000.00) only, intercepted in a joint operation with NAFDAC.
Concerning the alignment with the CGC’s emphasis on stakeholder collaboration, Wale said that the Command convened 2 major stakeholders’ engagements from 6–7 October, 2025; the first meeting that brought together Heads of Security Agencies, traditional rulers, and critical stakeholders along the Seme–Krake corridor, where far-reaching resolutions were reached to address multiple checkpoints, extortion and other trade impediments.
He noted that the first meeting with all Agencies present reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating unnecessary checkpoints and ensuring the seamless movement of legitimate goods and persons without compromising national security. While the second engagement which involved Benin Republic Customs counterparts, businessmen and licensed Customs agents from both sides of the border, aimed to harmonize border operations and further strengthen the Lagos–Abidjan trade corridor, reflecting the CGC’s regional integration agenda.
The CAC reassured that the Seme Area Command remains resolute in balancing the triad of Revenue Generation, Trade Facilitation and National Security.
"We shall continue to enhance our operational efficiency through technology, stakeholder collaboration and proactive intelligence. Our collective mission is to ensure that the Seme-Krake border remains a gateway of prosperity not criminality. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we are building a smarter, safer and more prosperous border corridor in full alignment with the CGC’s modernization blueprint".
He sincerely appreciates the Military, the NPF, DSS, NAFDAC, SON and other relevant security agencies for their continuous collaboration; extending his heartfelt thanks to the Traditional Rulers and Community Leaders, as well as the good people of Badagry Local Government, for their remarkable cooperation and partnership.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment