Customs Seize Expired Noodles, Rice, Cannabis, Explosives Worth ₦365m at Seme Border

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted contraband, illicit drugs, expired food products, explosives and other prohibited items with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦365.16 million.

The seizures were disclosed by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, during a press briefing at the Seme Border in Badagry, Lagos State, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Among the major interceptions was a truck falsely declared as carrying food items but found to contain 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.

According to the Command, intelligence and surveillance operations uncovered the deteriorated noodles, which were allegedly being transported for repackaging and relabelling before being sold to unsuspecting consumers.

The Customs Service said the move could have exposed members of the public to serious health risks.

The Command also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, allegedly smuggled into the country through illegal routes.

Kaila said the interception was part of the Service’s efforts to protect local agriculture, safeguard government revenue and frustrate the activities of smugglers operating along the border corridor.

Drugs, Cigarettes Intercepted

The Seme Area Command further reported the seizure of 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.

Kaila said the seizures had disrupted criminal supply chains and prevented potentially dangerous substances and unregulated tobacco products from reaching Nigerian communities.

“Our intelligence-led operations are increasingly disrupting the activities of smugglers and criminal networks operating along the Seme corridor,” Kaila said.

Customs Intercept 3,300 Explosive Cartridges

In what the Command described as a major national security breakthrough, Customs officers also intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials allegedly being transported illegally through the border corridor.

Because of the sensitive nature of the items, the explosives, together with one suspect, were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.

Kaila stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in tackling threats to national security.

Vehicles, Speedboat Used for Smuggling Seized

The Command also intercepted several means of transportation allegedly linked to smuggling activities.

They included a used speedboat, a used water bike, a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2016 Toyota RAV4 and 2010 Nissan Versa.
Kaila warned smugglers that the Seme corridor would no longer be a safe haven for economic sabotage.

“The Seme corridor will not remain a safe route for economic saboteurs. Our intelligence-led enforcement operations will continue to frustrate cross-border criminal activities,” he said.
Seme Revenue Hits ₦19.84bn in Seven Months
Beyond its enforcement activities, the Seme Area Command recorded a significant increase in revenue generation.

The Command collected ₦15.94 billion in 2025, while revenue generated between January and July 2026 stood at ₦19.84 billion.

The seven-month 2026 collection represents an increase of ₦3.899 billion, or 24.45 per cent, over the Command’s entire 2025 revenue collection.

The Command attributed the growth to improved enforcement, trade facilitation and compliance by legitimate businesses operating through the border.

Kaila said the Command remained committed to striking a balance between enforcement and trade facilitation.

“We remain committed to creating an enabling environment for compliant businesses while supporting the economic reforms of the Federal Government and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he said.

Drugs to NDLEA, Pharmaceuticals to NAFDAC

The Customs Area Controller also disclosed that the seized illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and necessary action.

He commended sister security agencies and members of the media for their cooperation, saying their partnership remained vital to strengthening border security, improving transparency and building public confidence.

The Seme Area Command said it would continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations while facilitating legitimate trade and protecting Nigeria’s economic and security interests.