The Seme Area Command, of the Nigeria Customs Service, says it has recorded a significant improvement in revenue performance, as it has generated a total revenue of Nine Billion, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Nine Naira (₦9,798,938,969), from March 2026 till date.
Customs Area Controller of the Command Abdullahi Kaila who made this known during a press briefing in Seme, said this represents an increase of Seven Billion, Six Hundred and Ten Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty Naira (₦7,610,533,220) when compared to the sum of Two Billion, One Hundred and Eighty-Eight Million, Four Hundred and Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty-Nine Naira (₦2,188,405,749) collected within the corresponding period in 2025.adding that the figure translates to an impressive growth rate of 448 percent.
“This remarkable achievement is attributable to strengthened compliance mechanisms, improved stakeholder cooperation, intensified anti-revenue leakage measures, enhanced operational efficiency, and the strategic deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System. The renewed dedication, vigilance demonstrated by officers and men of the Command have also contributed immensely to this performance. We remain committed to sustaining these gains through institutional reforms, intelligence-driven monitoring, and transparent trade procedures capable of guaranteeing continuous revenue growth without obstructing legitimate trade activities.”
He further stressed that “As one of Nigeria’s most strategic and busiest land border formations, the Seme Area Command occupies a critical position in regional and continental trade integration frameworks, particularly under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
“In line with the trade facilitation mandate of the Service, the Command has intensified engagement with critical stakeholders including licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, transport unions, importers, exporters, traditional institutions, and sister security agencies operating within the corridor.”
He affirmed that “Through sustained stakeholder consultations and regular interface meetings, the Command has addressed operational bottlenecks, simplified clearance procedures, improved compliance awareness, and strengthened mutual trust between the Service and the trading public. Our officers continue to provide guidance and support to Small and Medium Enterprises seeking access to regional and international markets, particularly in export documentation and regulatory compliance processes. These initiatives are directly aligned with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, promotion of non-oil exports, and ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking..
Kaila also stated that “At Seme Area Command, we remain resolute in our commitment to facilitating lawful trade while ensuring strict enforcement against illicit activities capable of undermining national economic interests”.
The CAC disclosed that in the area of anti-smuggling operations, the Command has sustained aggressive intelligence-led enforcement activities aimed at combating economic sabotage, protecting local industries, and safeguarding public health and national security.
Kaila revealed that “Within the last two months, coordinated patrols and surveillance operations conducted along the Seme-Badagry corridor and adjoining routes resulted in the interception of several prohibited and restricted items.”
He said as a result of these efforts, “The Command seized 1000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic substance prohibited under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act and Section 245(1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.”
In addition, the Command intercepted substantial quantities of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and various sexual enhancement drugs lacking certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). These items contravene the provisions of Section 55(1)(c) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The products seized include one carton containing 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup (100ml each), 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine (30ml each), 10 cartons of Ultimate Plus Maca Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Super Sexy Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Machine Man Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, quantities of Bottom Up Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 100 packs of Tramaking, and 100 packs of Tempendol.
Kaila noted that the Command recorded significant seizures of other prohibited and restricted goods in separate enforcement operations.
“These include 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil, 103 kegs of 30 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bales of used clothing and the Duty Paid Value of all the aforementioned intercepted items is 501,845,772 Naira.”
These seizures according to Kaila, underscore the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and reaffirm the command’s determination to protect the nation’s economy, support local industries, preserve public safety, and enforce compliance with extant import and export regulations.
He however issued a strong warning to smugglers and their collaborators that the Seme Area Command will not serve as a safe haven for illicit trade.
The CAC noted that the Command has significantly strengthened its intelligence network, enhanced surveillance capacity across land and maritime routes, and intensified collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies to combat trans-border crimes and economic sabotage.
He charged compliant traders and legitimate business operators, that compliance remains the safest, fastest, and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade, and encourage stakeholders to continue utilising the trade facilitation platforms and dispute-resolution mechanisms for seamless business operations.
Kaila however commended the officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment to duty, and sincere appreciation to their critical stakeholders and host communities for their continued support, cooperation, and collaboration with the Command.
He stated that “The Nigeria Customs Service, under the purposeful leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi remains fully committed to balancing effective revenue generation with trade facilitation, border security, and national economic development.”
He stressed that the Seme Area Command will continue to discharge its responsibilities with integrity, transparency, and professionalism in line with the Service’s reform agenda and the expectations of Nigerians.
The intercepted Cannabis and unregistered drugs were handed over to officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA and NAFDa b
About The Author
