Seme Customs intercepts explosives concealed in Quran cartons, arrests suspect

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted suspected explosive materials, including six canisters of corrosive mercury, concealed beneath five cartons of the Holy Quran.

Controller of the Command, Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Joint Border Post, Seme Krake border, where he detailed the operational successes recorded by the command between March 13th and May 13th, 2025.

According to Comptroller Oramalugo, one suspect has been apprehended in connection with the seizure, which he said was being transported in a red Toyota Avensis with registration number GGB 667 JL along the Badagry-Lagos expressway.

He said, “On 9th May 2025, our operatives, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a red Toyota Avensis with registration number GGB 667 JL along the Badagry-Lagos expressway. The vehicle was found to be conveying six canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED), concealed beneath five cartons of the Holy Qur’an. One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.”

Oramalugo said the Command also intercepted foreign currencies with a total value of N8. 9million within the review period.

“On 28th March 2025, at about 2000hrs, operatives of the Command on stop and search duty intercepted a motorcyclist suspected of conveying un-customs goods along Owode Road. Upon interception, the rider abandoned a Ghana-Must-Go bag and escaped. Upon examination, the bag was found to contain various foreign coins, namely:
49 pieces of Two-Dollar coins, 1,048 pieces of One-Pound coins, 130 pieces of 25 Canadian cents, 236 pieces of Fifty Pence, 645 pieces of Twenty Pence, 420 pieces of Ten Pence, 370 pieces of Five Pence.

“Similarly, on 1st April 2025, operatives intercepted a Mazda vehicle suspected of carrying smuggled items along the Badagry-Seme Expressway. After a thorough check, the vehicle was found to contain: 940 pieces of One-Pound coins,80 pieces of Two-Pound coins, 338 pieces of Fifty Penny, 540 pieces of Twenty penny and 785 pieces of Five Penny, ” he said.

The Customs boss explained that the importation of these non-legal tender coins violates Item 18 of Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff (CET).

Comptroller Oramalugo reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating smuggling, highlighting other notable seizures during the reported period.

These included 553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), 1,415 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 750 kegs of PMS, 30 cartons of tobacco, 50 cartons of ketchup tomato, a boat and engine, 50 bales of second-hand clothing, five vehicles, and unregistered pharmaceuticals with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N669,785,236.00.

In the area of revenue generation, he said the command generated a total revenue of ₦847,058,879.30 for April 2025 alone.

He said the command also facilitated the export of 2,029 trucks carrying over 88,000 metric tonnes of made-in-Nigeria goods, valued at over ₦16.9 billion, contributing significantly to the Federal Government’s non-oil export agenda.

Comptroller Oramalugo stated that the seized narcotics, suspected IED materials, and unregistered pharmaceuticals have been handed over to relevant agencies for further investigation and potential prosecution, underscoring inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding national security.

He cautioned the public about fraudulent individuals impersonating customs officers and using social media to conduct fake auctions of seized vehicles.

He clarified that the Nigeria Customs Service does not engage in such activities on unverified platforms.

Comptroller Oramalugo commended the officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their dedication and integrity, while also thanking stakeholders, including the media, for their continued support.

He reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to revenue generation, trade facilitation, and the suppression of smuggling.

He appealed to parents and guardians in border communities to dissuade their children from engaging in smuggling activities or obstructing law enforcement officers.