The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has collected over nine billion, seven hundred and nighty-eight million naira revenue from March 2026 till date, making it record 448 per cent increase from revenue collected in the corresponding period of 2025.
The Command also made various seizures of prohibited items and unregistered pharmaceutical products.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed this to newsmen at a briefing on Monday, at the Command.
Speaking on the feat recorded, the CAC 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. The figure translates to an impressive growth rate of 448 percent.”
On the Command’s commitment to sustaining the feat achieved, the CAC acknowledged the remarkable boost of its operations driven by the renewed dedication of the officers and men.
His words: “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.”
He highlighted the critical position of the Command as a busy land border area, and its role in a sustainable drive in the “regional and continental trade integration frameworks, particularly under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
The Seme Area Command has notably been driving sustained stakeholder consultations and addressed operational bottlenecks, simplified clearance procedures, improved compliance awareness, and strengthened mutual trust between the Service and the trading public.
The Command has also been remarkable by providing 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… we remain resolute in our commitment to facilitating lawful trade while ensuring strict enforcement against illicit activities capable of undermining national economic interests,” Comptroller Kila said.
On anti-smuggling operations, the Command has sustained aggressive intelligence-led enforcement activities in combating economic sabotage, protecting local industries, and safeguarding public health and national security.
In its patrols and surveillance operations conducted along the Seme-Badagry corridor and adjoining routes 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.
Other seized items include 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 the CAC, “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.”
The Command also seized 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 with the Duty Paid Value of N 501,845,772 .
Comptroller Kaila used the occasion to warn against any form of smuggling, as the Command remains committed to protecting the nation’s economic integrity, promoting trade and enforcing compliance with extant import and export regulations.
He encouraged compliant traders and legitimate business operators that: “I wish to reiterate that compliance remains the safest, fastest, and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade. We encourage stakeholders to continue utilising our trade facilitation platforms and dispute-resolution mechanisms for seamless business operations.”
With a pledge to sustain the offensive against illegalities in trade processes, the CAC extolled the operatives of the Command for “their resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment to duty.”
He also appreciation all critical stakeholders and host communities for their continued support, cooperation, and collaboration with the Command.
