The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, says it has intercepted a truckload of expired noodles and other contraband, including foreign rice and explosives.
The Customs Area Controller, Abdullahi Kaila, during a display of the seized items at Seme Border on Tuesday, vowed that his administration would not allow dangerous and banned goods into the country.
He said that every seizure recorded reflected the command’s resolve to secure Nigeria’s borders, facilitate legitimate trade, generate revenue for national development, and deny criminal networks the opportunity to undermine the economy.
According to him, officers of the Seme Area Command, following credible intelligence, intercepted a truck that was deceptively declared to be carrying 1,306 sacks of expired noodles, each weighing 50kg.
“What was discovered was deeply disturbing because many of the products had already deteriorated and were visibly decomposing.
“Intelligence further revealed that the intention was to repackage, relabel and introduce these products into Nigerian markets for unsuspecting consumers.
“Had this shipment succeeded, countless families would have been exposed to serious health hazards ranging from food poisoning and gastrointestinal diseases to other life-threatening medical complications,” he said.
The Comptroller said the interception of the products showed that the Nigeria Customs Service was not only protecting borders, but also safeguarding public health.
“Every child, every family and every Nigerian has been protected from what could have become a silent public health disaster,” he said.
Kaila said the command also seized 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 50kg each, which were smuggled through illegal routes at various flashpoints within its area of responsibility.
“Beyond denying government legitimate revenue, such illicit importation undermines the Federal Government’s agricultural policies, discourages local rice production and threatens the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.
“The fight against illicit drugs remains one of the service’s critical contributions to national security and public safety,” he said.
The Comptroller said that the command also intercepted 373 parcels of cannabis sativa, 90 packs of tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of royal tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of cigarettes.
“These are not ordinary commodities, they are dangerous products capable of destroying lives, fueling criminality, encouraging substance abuse and undermining the future of our young people.
“The illicit drugs intercepted are often linked to cultism, armed robbery, violent crimes and other social vices.
“Smuggled cigarettes evade health regulations, avoid payment of statutory duties and expose consumers to products outside approved quality standards,” he said.
Kaila said that the command, through these interceptions, had disrupted criminal supply chains and prevented these dangerous products from reaching the communities.
“Among the seizures displayed today is one that poses perhaps the greatest threat to national security, which is 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being illegally conveyed through the border corridor.
“Explosives of this nature have devastating consequences when they fall into the hands of criminal elements.
“They have the potential to facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes capable of threatening national peace and security,” he said.
He said that the successful interception of these explosives demonstrated the vigilance, professionalism and intelligence-driven operations of personnel working in close collaboration with sister security agencies.
“Considering the sensitive nature of the seizure, the explosive materials have already been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation,” Kaila said.
He also said that as part of the command’s anti-smuggling efforts, it intercepted one used speed boat, one used water bike, one used Toyota Land Cruiser (2017 model), one used Toyota Rav4 (2016) and one used Nissan Versa (2010).
“The Duty Paid Value of all items on display today is N365,163,709 and I warn smugglers that Seme is no longer a afe corridor for economic sabotage,” he said.
Kaila said that the command had generated N19.84 billion between January and July, marking a significant improvement in its revenue generation.
“This means that within only seven months, the command has surpassed its entire twelve-month revenue collection for 2025 which was N15,941,258,676.01.
“This achievement demonstrates that effective enforcement and efficient trade facilitation are complementary responsibilities.
“While we continue to deny smugglers opportunities to undermine the economy, we remain equally committed to creating an enabling environment for compliant traders to conduct legitimate business with ease and predictability,” he said.
The Comptroller said the command remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s economic reforms, promoting regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and facilitating compliant trade.
“We will continue to ensure that smugglers have no safe haven within our area of responsibility.
“The illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products seized by the command will be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and necessary action.
“I sincerely appreciate all our sister security and government regulatory bodies for their unwavering cooperation, intelligence sharing and commitment to national security,” Kaila said. (NAN)
