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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Working in collaboration with sister security agencies, the Seme-Krake Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, between May and July 2026, intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, a truckload of expired noodles, parboiled foreign rice and other smuggled goods valued at N365.16 million.
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‎Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila disclosed this, Tuesday, while giving a rundown of operational achievements made within the period in view.
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‎According to Comptroller Kaila, the interceptions resulting from credible intelligence, sustained surveillance and intelligence-driven operations by Customs officers demonstrated a commendable example of collaboration with sister security agencies. He described the seizure of the explosives as one of the most significant security interventions recorded by the Command and warned that if allowed to enter the country, such materials could be diverted for criminal purposes.
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‎The explosives which originated from Ghana, the CAC explained, have been  handed over to the Police Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit for safe keeping and investigation. Two suspects allegedly involved were also handed over to the appropriate investigation agency.
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‎“Explosives of this nature have devastating consequences when they fall into the hands of criminal elements. They have the potential to facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes capable of threatening national peace and security.”
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‎The Controller also unveiled a truck said to be carrying wholesome food items. But on investigation, it was found to carry 1,306 sacks of expired noodles arranged in bags, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.  Intelligence gathered showed that the noodles in loose form was to be repackaged and relabelled before being introduced into the Nigerian market. Kaila said the interception had prevented potentially harmful food products from being unleashed to the unsuspecting consumers. By this, he said, border security is also a form of support for public health protection.
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‎He further disclosed that the Command seized 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, smuggled into the country through illegal routes. Such illicit importation, he regretted, not only deprives government of legitimate revenue but also undermines the Federal Government’s agricultural policies designed to encourage local rice production and the welfare of local farmers.

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‎The Command intercepted 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes. He said the seizures had helped disrupt criminal supply chains and prevent dangerous substances from reaching Nigerian communities.
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‎Other prohibited items impounded during the period include one used speedboat, one used water bike, one used Toyota Land Cruiser 2017 model, one used Toyota RAV4 2016 model and one used Nissan Versa 2010 model whose total combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) stood at N365,163,709.
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‎He promised hard times for smugglers as the Command is determined to  continue to deploy intelligence, surveillance and collaboration with other security agencies to frustrate their evil acts.
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‎“To those engage in smuggling activities, our message remains unequivocal: Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,” he said.
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‎Seme Command generated N19.84 billion between January and July 2026, thus surpassing her total revenue collection of N15.94 billion recorded throughout 2025.  In the first seven months of 2026, the Command generated N19,840,280,788.50,
‎representing an increase of N3.899 billion or 24.45 % over the N15,941,258,676.01 realized in 2025.
‎The CAC attributed the revenue growth to improved compliance, enhanced stakeholder engagement and strengthened operational efficiency.
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‎“This achievement demonstrates that effective enforcement and efficient trade facilitation are complementary responsibilities. While we continue to deny smugglers opportunities to undermine the economy, we remain equally committed to creating an enabling environment for compliant traders to conduct legitimate business with ease and predictability, ” he stated. He pledged that the Command would continue to support the Federal Government’s economic reforms, promote regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), facilitate compliant trade and ensure that smugglers had no safe haven within its area of responsibility.
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‎He expressed appreciation to sister security and government regulatory agencies for their cooperation, intelligence- sharing and commitment to national security. The seized illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products were subsequently 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.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, Controller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service says the Command’s latest revenue recovery is encouraging, reaffirming a determination to identify and recover revenue lost through under-declaration, false declarations and other forms of customs fraud. Importers, exporters and licensed customs agents, he insists, should ensure accurate declarations and full compliance with extant customs laws and regulations as the Unit will always facilitate legitimate trade while taking decisive action against individuals and businesses engaged in smuggling and revenue evasion.
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‎This is contained in a release by Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu.
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‎FOU Zone ‘A’, the release explained, will always intercept foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing, and other prohibited goods as part of measures to protect domestic industries, support national food security and safeguard legitimate government revenue.
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‎” Similarly, the interception of illicit drugs, unregulated pharmaceutical products, and other controlled substances contributes to protecting public health and preventing the circulation of substances capable of undermining the wellbeing of citizens, particularly young Nigerians. The recovery of elephant tusks also reinforces the Service’s role in supporting national efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.”
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‎The Comptroller who emphasised that the Unit’s enforcement activities are being undertaken within a balanced framework that combines robust border enforcement with trade facilitation attributed the successes recorded during the period to enhanced intelligence gathering, risk profiling, inter-agency collaboration, intelligence fusion, and the cooperation of stakeholders and members of the public. He assured compliant traders of the Service’s continued commitment to creating a fair, predictable, and transparent trading environment, while warning that the Unit would sustain its zero-tolerance approach to smuggling, revenue fraud and other forms of economic sabotage.
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‎The seizures include 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa) weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg; 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg; 240,000 tablets of Tramadol; 12,000 tablets of Hypnox; 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg; 964 25-litre jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), equivalent to 24,100 litres; 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil containing four 5-litre units each; 686 cartons of foreign poultry products; 414 bales of used clothing; and 2,947 pieces of used tyres, among other prohibited and smuggled items intercepted through intelligence-led operations.
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‎Also impounded were 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods valued at N3,237,132,640.00 in Duty Paid Value, while the recovered revenue stood at N728,976,725.03. The operation anchored on sharpened risk profiling, rigorous compliance checks and targeted strikes against suspicious declarations, underscores the Unit’s unrelenting commitment to protecting local industries, securing government revenue, and keeping Nigeria’s trade corridors free of contraband, the Command stated.
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‎The CAC vowed the Command’s  commitment to support the Federal Government’s economic objectives by protecting domestic production, promoting compliance, facilitating legitimate trade, and preventing the entry and circulation of prohibited and harmful goods.
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‎The Unit appreciates the continued support of sister agencies, stakeholders, border communities and members of the public whose intelligence and cooperation contribute significantly to her enforcement efforts. Comptroller Aliyu called for sustained partnership from the business community and the general public, noting that collective compliance and vigilance remain essential to consolidating the gains recorded in revenue recovery, border protection, public safety, and national economic development.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Come September 10, 2026, top government officials, industry leaders and maritime stakeholders will converge to discuss and chart a new course for the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
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‎The event being put together by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria
‎(MARAN) to mark her MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) holds at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme: “Nigerian Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”
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‎The event is expected to provide a high-level platform for discussions on the reforms needed to make Nigerian ports more efficient, cost-effective and globally competitive.
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‎Deliberations, the organizers say, will focus on key issues affecting the nation’s maritime industry. These include port infrastructure modernisation, operational efficiency, port charges, trade facilitation and policy reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa.
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‎Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, will attend as the Special Guest of Honour, highlighting the Federal Government’s commitment to deepen reforms in the maritime and blue economy sectors.
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‎The keynote address will be delivered by Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU). She is expected to outline the Federal Government’s policy direction and the role of coordinated reforms in improving port efficiency, attracting investment and driving economic growth.
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‎MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, disclosed that the lecture will be chaired by TANTITA Security Services Limited. He said the event will bring together government officials, maritime agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, port users, investors, academics, development partners and media practitioners for robust discussions on the future of Nigeria’s port industry.
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‎Onigbinde noted that MAMAL has earned a reputation as one of the maritime sector’s foremost policy dialogue platforms, providing stakeholders with the opportunity to exchange ideas, build partnerships and recommend practical solutions to challenges confronting the industry.
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‎He added that this year’s lecture is expected to generate actionable recommendations on reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports, improving operational efficiency, enhancing investor confidence and accelerating Nigeria’s quest to become a preferred maritime and logistics hub in the sub-region.
‎MARAN has therefore called on stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to participate actively in the event, describing MAMAL 2026 as a strategic forum for shaping policies and partnerships that will drive sustainable growth, competitiveness and innovation in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
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