Seme Area Command Generates N9.8bn Revenue, Intercepts Contraband Worth N501m In Three Months
By Asuquo Nuwak
Seme Area Command Generates N9.8bn Revenue, Intercepts Contraband Worth N501m In Three Months
••• Hands over cannabis, unregistered drugs to NDLEA, NAFDAC
In an effort to achieve the core mandate of the Service within Seme Area Command, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila announced that the Seme Area Command has continued to record significant improvement in revenue performance since his assumption of office in March 2026, which has resulted to the cumulative sum of N9, 798, 938, 969 billion from March 2026 to date, representing an increase of N7, 610, 533, 220 billion, when compared to the sum of N2,188, 405, 749 billion collected within the corresponding period in 2025.
The Customs Area Controller of Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila who announced this during the press briefing to provide an overview of the command’s operational activities and achievements in the areas of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling enforcement since his assumption of office in March 2026, also said these operational pillars remain central to the statutory responsibilities of the Service under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and are aligned with the economic reform agenda and national development priorities of the government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
Accordingly, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila who noted that the figure translates to an impressive growth rate of 448 percent, also said 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.
Additionally, he said the renewed dedication, and vigilance demonstrated by officers and men of the command have also contributed immensely to this performance.
Still, he disclosed that the command 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 recalled that Seme Area Command is one of Nigeria’s most strategic and busiest land border formations, which 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, he said 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 pointed out 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.
Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila is quoted as saying that: “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”.
In his words: “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”.
That is not all, in the area of anti-smuggling operations, he announced that the Seme Area Command has sustained aggressive intelligence-led enforcement activities aimed at combating economic sabotage, protecting local industries, and safeguarding public health and national security.
He said 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, including 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.
Official statement from the command said the seized narcotics are currently being processed for formal handover to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
Similarly, he said 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).
According to official statement from the command, these items contravene the provisions of Section 55(1)(c) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The breakdown of the seized products 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.
According to the report, these products will also be formally handed over to NAFDAC for appropriate regulatory action.
Furthermore, the command recorded significant seizures of other prohibited and restricted goods in separate enforcement operations.
Further breakdown of the seized items 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 N501,845,772.
In addition, he said these seizures underscore the command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and reaffirm their determination to protect the nation’s economy, support local industries, preserve public safety, and enforce compliance with extant import and export regulations.
Indeed, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, however use the opportunity to issue a strong warning to smugglers and their collaborators that the Seme Area Command will not serve as a safe haven for illicit trade.
The Command, according to him, 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.
For the compliant traders and legitimate business operators, he reiterated that compliance remains the safest, fastest, and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade.
He encouraged stakeholders to continue utilising their trade facilitation platforms and dispute-resolution mechanisms for seamless business operations.
In conclusion, he commended the officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment to duty.
He also extended sincere appreciation to the critical stakeholders and host communities for their continued support, cooperation, and collaboration with the command.
Significantly, he said the Nigeria Customs Service, under the purposeful leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, remains fully committed to balancing effective revenue generation with trade facilitation, border security, and national economic development.
Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila is quoted as stating 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”.
Finally, he appreciated members of the media for their continued partnership in promoting public awareness, transparency, and accountability, and their role in nation-building and dissemination of accurate information remains invaluable to the success of the operations and institutional reforms.
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