Seme Customs Records N847 million As Revenue In One Month

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By Asuquo Nuwak

Seme Customs Records N847 million As Revenue In One Month

•••Intercepts cannabis sativa, rice, petroleum products , foreign coins, others

For officers and men of Seme Customs Command, who witnessed the second press briefing at Seme Customs command, it was another significant event.

Heads of sisters security agencies, members of the press, and other critical stakeholders were in attendance.

During the event, for hours, these personalities sat on their seats listening to (Dr) Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, while briefing Journalists on the activities of the command which covered operational activities between 13 March and 13 May 2025.

In his speech, Dr Ben Oramalugo, said through commitment and professionalism, during the period under review, the command recorded a total sum of N847, 058, 879 .30 for the month of April 2025 alone.

Beyond that, (Dr) Comptroller Ben Oramalugo pointed out that Seme customs command, in line with the federal government’s agenda on economic diversification through non-oil export s, has facilitated the movement of 2, 029 trucks, equivalent to over 88, 036.15 metric tonnes of made-in Nigeria goods in export between March13, 2025 and May 13, 2025.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller (Dr.)
Ben Oramalugo, who made this known in a press briefing at the command’s Headquarters in Seme, Lagos, recently also said that those exports had a Free On Board (FOB) value of 16,900,987,331.10k.

Beside this, Comptroller (Dr.) Ben Oramalugo, said the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees stood at N84,504,936.66k.

Comptroller (Dr) Ben Oramalugo is quoted as saying: “This underscores our role as a critical trade enabler and contributor to national economic growth through efficient border management and support to local manufacturers”.

Once again, the Customs Area Controller, further stated that this achievement reflects the command sustained efforts at ensuring that all revenue leakages are blocked, and every legitimate kobo due to the federal government is collected without compromise.

In the area of anti-smuggling operations, Comptroller (Dr.) Ben Oramalugo recalled how he reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intensifying the fight against smuggling. In his words: “I am glad to report that our efforts have continued to yield commendable results”.

He cast his mind back on 28th March, 2025, at about 2000hrs, when operatives of the command on stop and search duty intercepted a motorcyclist suspected of conveying un-customs goods along Owode road. Upon interception, the rider abandoned a Ghana-Must-Go bag and escaped. Upon examination, the bag was found to contain various foreign coins, including 49 pieces of two-dollar coins, 1,048 pieces of one-pound coins,130 pieces of 25 Canadian cents, 236 pieces of 50 pence, 645 pieces of 20 pence, 420 pieces of 10 pence, 370 pieces of 5 pence.

Once more, he recalled that on 1st April 2025, operatives intercepted a Mazda vehicle suspected of carrying smuggled items along the Badagry-Seme Expressway. After a thorough check, the vehicle was found to contain items including 940 pieces of 1-pound coins, 80 pieces of 2-pound coins, 338 pieces of 50 penny, 540 pieces of 20 penny and 785 pieces of 5 penny. The total value of these seized foreign coins is 48,975,281.00k only.

The report said these items are classified under item 18 of schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff, CET, which prohibits the importation of silver or metal alloy coins not being legal tender in Nigeria.

Furthermore, Comptroller (Dr) Ben Oramalugo cast his mind back on 9th May 2025, when the command operatives, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a red Toyota Avensis with registration number GGE 667 JN, along the Badagry-Lagos expressway.

According to the report, the vehicle was found to be conveying six canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be improvised explosive device concealed beneath five cartons of the Holy Qur’an. It is reported that one suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.

Apart from this, other notable seizures during the period included 553 parcels of cannabis sativa (marijuana), 1,415) bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 750 kegs of PMS (30kg each), 30 cartons of Tobacco, 50 cartons of Ketchup Tomato, one boat and engine, 50 bales of second-hand clothing, 5 vehicles (means of conveyance) and also unregistered pharmaceuticals, including 420 bottles of CA-C100 Vitamin C and Haldol injection (5ml)

The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all the seizures during the period under review is N669,785,236.00k only.

Comptroller Dr Ben Oramalugo further went on to say that in line with the commitment of the command to inter-agency collaboration, the command will hand over the seized cannabis sativa, corrosive mercury canisters and unregistered pharmaceuticals to the relevant agencies for discreet investigative action and possible prosecution.

At this point, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo expressed the command’s readiness to work with sister agencies in safeguarding national security.

Dr. Ben Oramalugo, therefore, used the opportunity to inform the general public on the activities of fraudsters, who impersonate officers of the Seme Area Command, claiming to auction or sell vehicles.He noted that these scammers often operate via social media and other informal platforms.

Comptroller Dr Ben Oramalugo is quoted as warning: “The command dissociates itself from any such illegal activity. Please note that the Nigeria Customs Service does not sell or auction seized items via WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, or any unverified platforms. Only follow verified social media handles bearing the official blue tick or any communication directly from the Nigeria Customs Service”.

The Customs Area Controller, who commended gallant officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their steadfastness, professionalism, and integrity, also thanked the stakeholders and partners, including the media, for their continued support and collaboration, while assuring that the command remain fully committed to the mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and suppression of smuggling”.

Comptroller Dr Ben Oramalugo is quoted as stating: “We shall not be deterred by mischief-makers or their propaganda. The command will continue to work diligently in the interest of national economic development and security”.

At the end of press briefing, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, however, appealed to parents and guardians residing in border communities to counsel their wards and youths to refrain from engaging in smuggling activities and to avoid being used as instruments to obstruct law enforcement officers in the discharge of their legitimate duties.