The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted smuggled rice and cannabis worth over N1.2 billion at the Seme Border.
Also intercepted were five trucks carrying 2,800 bags of foreign rice, with a Duty Paid Value of ₦919.5 million.
Dr Benedict Oramalugo, the Customs Area Controller, confirmed this on Thursday while displaying the seized items to journalists at the Joint Border Post complex in Seme.
He stated that the interceptions took place between July 1 and 19, following credible intelligence gathered by operatives along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
He explained that five trucks laden with smuggled goods were intercepted, each truck carrying 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice and second-hand clothing.
A total of 2,800 bags of rice and 250 bales of second-hand clothing were recovered from the vehicles, Oramalugo stated.
He stated that the Duty Paid Value of the seized rice and vehicles totalled ₦919,500,626.
The command also made other significant seizures between May 14 and June 30, Oramalugo added.
These included 1,319 additional bags of foreign rice, bringing the total seized to 4,119 bags within the stated period.
Other seizures comprised 898 parcels of cannabis sativa, 40 bags of sugar, 64 bags of flour, and 50 cartons of tomato ketchup.
Also recovered were one boat with an engine, 20 bales of second-hand clothes, and four bales of used shoes.
Oramalugo stated that the total DPV for all seizures stood at ₦1,268,794,474.
He attributed the successes to the vigilance and commitment of officers and men of the Seme Command, with support from the Nigerian military.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s ban on rice imports via land borders to support local farmers and reduce rice dependency.
Nigeria, he said, remains Africa’s leading rice producer, with over 8 million metric tonnes annually, surpassing Egypt and Tanzania.
Despite this, local mills face low patronage, which hinders their ability to operate at full capacity.
The importation ban, he noted, is essential for sustaining the agricultural sector and boosting local production.
He lamented that some individuals still engage in smuggling, undermining Nigeria’s economic progress.
Oramalugo warned that the Seme Command would not tolerate any form of smuggling or illegal trade.
He stressed that the recent seizures clearly show their readiness to enforce fiscal policies without compromise.
He said the seized cannabis would be handed over to the relevant authorities for investigation and further action.
In May and June 2025, the command generated ₦1,593,676,123.26 in revenue, reflecting the effectiveness of its strong anti-leakage measures.
He noted that every legitimate kobo owed to the government was collected with the utmost integrity.
Under Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts, the command facilitated the movement of 1,837 export trucks, totalling over 116,723.26 metric tonnes.
The Free On Board value of the exports was ₦22,368,388,976.10, with NESS fees totalling ₦111,841,944.87.
He praised his officers for their tireless efforts against smuggling, made possible with support from the military and other agencies.
Oramalugo thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs and his team for their continued backing.
He stated that the recent allocation of 12 patrol vehicles had enhanced border surveillance and operational efficiency.
He said that the results of this investment were evident in the seizures now being presented to the public.
