By Peace Udugba
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, says it generated ₦9.79 billion in revenue between March and May 2026, representing a 448 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed this on Monday during a media briefing held at the Command headquarters in Seme, Lagos State.
Kaila said the Command generated a total revenue of ₦9,798,938,969 within the period under review, compared to ₦2,188,405,749 realised during the same period in 2025, recording an increase of ₦7.61 billion.
According to him, the achievement was driven by strengthened compliance measures, improved stakeholder cooperation, intensified anti-revenue leakage strategies, enhanced operational efficiency, and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
He also attributed the improved performance to the dedication and vigilance of officers and men of the Command.
The Comptroller noted that the Seme border corridor remains strategic to regional and continental trade integration under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He explained that the Command had intensified engagement with licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, transport unions, importers, exporters, traditional institutions, and sister security agencies to improve trade facilitation and compliance.
According to him, regular consultations and interface meetings have helped address operational bottlenecks, simplify clearance procedures, and strengthen mutual trust between Customs and the trading public.
Kaila added that officers of the Command were also supporting Small and Medium Enterprises with export documentation and regulatory compliance to boost non-oil exports and improve ease of doing business.
On anti-smuggling operations, the Customs boss said the Command recorded major seizures through intelligence-led enforcement activities carried out along the Seme-Badagry corridor and adjoining routes.
He disclosed that the Command intercepted 1,000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, which he described as prohibited narcotic substances under the law.
According to him, the seized drugs would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.
Kaila further revealed that the Command intercepted large quantities of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
The seized pharmaceutical products include 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup, 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine, 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.
He said the products would be handed over to NAFDAC for regulatory action.
The Command also seized 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of foreign vegetable oil, 103 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bales of used clothing.
Kaila said the Duty Paid Value of all the seized items stood at ₦501,845,772.
He reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling, warning smugglers and their collaborators to stay away from the border corridor.
According to him, the Command has strengthened its intelligence network, enhanced surveillance across land and maritime routes, and intensified collaboration with security and regulatory agencies to combat trans-border crimes and economic sabotage.
He urged compliant traders and legitimate business operators to continue embracing lawful trade procedures, describing compliance as the safest and most cost-effective path for international trade.
The Customs Area Controller commended officers and men of the Command for their resilience and dedication, while also appreciating stakeholders, host communities, and members of the media for their continued support.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to balancing revenue generation, trade facilitation, border security, and national economic development.
