The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it generated N9.79 billion in revenue between March and May 2026, representing a 448 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
The Controller of the command, Comptroller Abdulahi Kaila disclosed this on Monday during his maiden media briefing on the command’s operational activities and achievements since assuming office in March 2026.
According to him, the command generated a total revenue of N9,798,938,969 between March and May 2026, compared to N2,188,405,749 collected during the same period in 2025, showing an increase of N7.61 billion.
Kaila attributed the impressive performance to strengthened compliance mechanisms, improved stakeholder cooperation, intensified anti-revenue leakage measures, enhanced operational efficiency, and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
He also credited the renewed dedication and vigilance of officers and men of the command for the achievement, noting that the command would sustain the momentum through institutional reforms, intelligence-driven monitoring, and transparent trade procedures.
The Customs boss noted that considering Seme Command critical position in regional and continental trade integration frameworks, particularly under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), 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.
Kaila noted that regular consultations with stakeholders had helped to address operational bottlenecks, simplify clearance procedures, improve compliance awareness, and strengthen mutual trust between the service and the trading public.
“Our officers continue to provide guidance and support to Small and Medium Enterprises seeking access to regional and international markets, particularly in export documentation and regulatory compliance processes. These initiatives are directly aligned with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, promotion of non-oil exports, and ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking.
“At Seme Area Command, we remain resolute in our commitment to facilitating lawful trade while ensuring strict enforcement against illicit activities capable of undermining national economic interests, ” he said.
On anti-smuggling operations, Kaila said the command sustained aggressive intelligence-led enforcement activities aimed at combating economic sabotage, protecting local industries, and safeguarding public health and national security.
He revealed that within the last two months, coordinated patrols and surveillance operations along the Seme-Badagry corridor led to the seizure of 1,000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, which were subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) for further investigation.
He said the command also intercepted unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs without certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The seized pharmaceutical products included 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup, 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine, cartons of Sildenafil Citrate products branded as Ultimate Plus Maca, Super Sexy, Machine Man, Bottom Up, as well as packs of Tramaking and Tempendol.
Kaila said the pharmaceutical products would be handed over to NAFDAC for regulatory action.
He further disclosed that the command 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 during separate operations.
The Duty Paid Value of the seized items, according to him, stood at N501.8 million.
“These seizures underscore the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and reaffirm our determination to protect the nation’s economy, support local industries, preserve public safety, and enforce compliance with extant import and export regulations, “he said.
He warned smugglers and their collaborators to desist from illicit trade activities, stressing that the command had strengthened its intelligence network, surveillance capacity, and collaboration with relevant security agencies to combat trans-border crimes and economic sabotage.
Kaila also urged compliant traders and legitimate business operators to embrace lawful trade and utilise the command’s trade facilitation and dispute-resolution mechanisms for seamless operations.
He commended officers and men of the command, stakeholders, and host communities for their support and cooperation, assuring that the service would continue to discharge its responsibilities with integrity, transparency, and professionalism under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
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