Seme Customs boosts FG’s non- oil export drive, facilitates 116,000 metric tonnes in two months

… Seizes N1.2bn smuggled goods

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday announced that it facilitated the export of over 116,000 metric tonnes of made-in-Nigeria goods with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N22. 3 billion in the last two months.

Controller of the Command, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo who disclosed this during a media briefing at the ECOWAS Complex, Joint Border Post, highlighted the Command’s commitment to the Federal Government’s agenda of economic diversification.

He stated that between May 14 and July 24, 2025, the Command oversaw the movement of 1,837 trucks laden with the Nigerian-made products with National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees amounting to N111. 8million.

While boosting legitimate trade, the Controller said the Command also intensified its anti-smuggling efforts, yielding seizures of smuggled goods valued at N1. 2billion between July 1 and July 19, 2025.

He said the command operatives, acting on intelligence, intercepted five trucks
containing 2,800 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50Kg each) and 250 bales of second-hand clothing on the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

He said the seized items with their means of conveyance has a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N919.5million.

Other significant seizures during the review period ncluded 898 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), 1,319 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 40 bags of sugar, 64 bags of flour, 50 cartons of Ketchup Tomato, one boat and engine, 20 bales of second-hand clothing, and 4 bales of used shoes.

Comptroller Oramalugo stated that the seizures are a testament to the vigilance, resilience, and doggedness of officers of the command, bolstered by support from other security agencies, particularly the Nigerian military.

He reiterated that the Federal Government’s ban on rice importation through land borders is to protect Nigerian farmers and millers and reduce dependency on foreign rice.

“Nigeria is the highest producer of rice in Africa, with an annual output exceeding 8 million metric tonnes, surpassing Egypt and Tanzania. However, our rice mills continue to face challenges due to insufficient patronage, which hampers their ability to operate at full capacity,”

“Regrettably, some unpatriotic elements persist in engaging in illegal importation, undermining the nation’s economic growth,” Comptroller Oramalugo stated.

He issued a stern warning to smugglers, declaring that the Seme Area Command will never be a fertile ground for smugglers, affirming the Command’s unwavering resolve to enforce fiscal policies.

He added that between the review period, the Command, through commitment and professionalism, generated a total revenue of N1.5billion.

Comptroller Oramalugo commended his officers and men for their dedication and expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs and his management team for their continuous support, including the recent allocation of 12 patrol vehicles, which he said have significantly enhanced the Command’s operational capacity along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

In a show of inter-agency cooperation, the seized marijuana was handed over to the representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for further investigation and action.