The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted five trucks loaded with 2,800 bags of smuggled foreign rice, alongside cannabis and second-hand clothing, with a total Duty Paid Value of ₦919.5 million.
Customs Area Controller Dr. Benedict Oramalugo confirmed the seizure on Thursday during a press briefing at the Joint Border Post in Seme.
He said the operation, carried out between July 1 and 19, was based on credible intelligence along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.
A total of 2,800 bags of rice and 250 bales of second-hand clothing were recovered from the vehicles, Oramalugo stated.
He said the Duty Paid Value of the seized rice and vehicles amounted to ₦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 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.
In spite of this, local mills face low patronage, which affects their ability to produce 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 Seme Command will 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 relevant authorities for investigation and further action.
In May and June 2025, the command generated ₦1,593,676,123.26 in revenue, reflecting strong anti-leakage measures.
He noted that every legitimate kobo owed to the government was collected with utmost integrity.
Under Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts, the command facilitated 1,837 export trucks, totalling over 116,723.26 metric tonnes.
The Free On Board value of the exports stood at ₦22,368,388,976.10, with NESS fees of ₦111,841,944.87.
He praised his officers for their tireless anti-smuggling efforts, 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 said the recent allocation of 12 patrol vehicles had improved border surveillance and operational efficiency.
He said that the results of this investment were evident in the seizures now being presented to the public. v
