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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎“Guided by the CGC’s commitment to transparency and modernisation, the Seme Area Command has intensified efforts to simplify procedures, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and ensure that legitimate traders enjoy the full benefits of Customs modernisation and regional integration along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor”.
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‎Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme Border Command gave this reaffirmation at the Seme-Krake border, Thursday, as he gave a rundown of recent exploits in revenue generation, anti-smuggling and trade facilitation.
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‎In the month of September, 2025, the Command generated ₦1,500,029,233.88 in contrast to ₦531,462,332.45 collected in the corresponding period of 2024. This represents an increase of over 182%
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‎Talking of exports, Seme Command facilitated the movement of 53,989.46 metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of ₦7,969,376,198.78 even as the total Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) realization was ₦39,868,354.42.
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‎The most significant seizure achieved through
‎credible intelligence and strong inter-agency collaboration was that involving five (5) trucks conveying a total of 10,000 bags of expired flour originating from Egypt, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1,210,300,000.00. The interception pulled through following a joint operation with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
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‎Other seizures include 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa and 120 packs of tramadol (120mg) seized alongside two  suspects handed over to the NDLEA Seme Command on October 7th, 2025 for further investigation.
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‎After a sting operation at sea, the Nigerian Navy seized over 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) and handed same over to Customs.
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‎Other seizures showcased by Comptroller Adenuga were 150 bales of second-hand clothing,169 bottles of DSP Cough Syrup with Codeine and 5 used vehicles.
‎The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all seizures stands at ₦1,999,093,429.00.
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‎Accepting the seized drugs on behalf of the DG of NAFDAC, the Seme Area boss, Dr Nurudeen Audu recalled that his agency has continued to synergise with the NCS in protecting the nation’s economy and checking the illegal entry of dangerous and expired pharmaceuticals into Nigeria. He added that “seized food items are usually sent to our laboratory at Oshodi for testing before they are allowed to be sold or taken to the internally displaced persons camps for distribution”.
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‎On behalf of the leadership of the NDLEA, Ajoku Rita, Controller of Narcotics, said of the seized tramadol and cannabis sativa: “we are working together assiduously to make sure that these illegal drugs do not come in to wreck havoc on our youths”.
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‎Concerning the  means of conveyance of the seized items, Comptroller Adenuga assured of plans to dispose them soon as the CGC is averse to any kind of wastage.
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‎Earlier in the week, the CAC hosted
‎ traditional and youth leaders, sister-security agencies in the Seme-Krake border area, cross-border agencies from Benin Republic and the press to  discuss the issue of numerous checkpoints along the busy Lagos -Badagry trade corridor and the need to reduce these as much as possible to enhance free movement and trade facilitation. He reported that within a short notice, stakeholders and various agencies complicated were already cooperating to ease movement of people and legitimate goods.
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‎As far as the Nigeria Customs is concerned, he announced, only two checkpoints are approved on the Mile 2 to Seme border trade route. These are Agbara and Gbaji. However, there are one or two points where roving customs officers are sighted strictly for intervention and reinforcement. These are not answerable to Seme Command.
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‎’Only God Is Wise’  bonded terminal under the supervision of the Command was inspected as the CAC directed.
‎According to the facility manager, Mr Adetoun Abidemi, the terminal which the command conceived began operations in 2019 for the purpose of improving trade facilitation.
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‎Adetoun noted that the terminal handles general services and that examination of cargoes is presently done at 100%. He disclosed that for now, the terminal is operating at very low capacity as a result of low patronage. Abidemi called on all importers and exporters to use the bonded terminal facility while processing their cargoes.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Monday, hosted a well-attended Joint Border Management stakeholders’ engagement to discuss major impediments to free flow of trade. In attendance were the Chargè d’affaires of the Nigeria Embassy to Benin republic, heads of sister security agencies such as the Air Force, Navy and the Nigerian Army. Others were heads of paramilitary agencies such as the Police, Immigration, Nigerian Quarantine Service, Federal Road Safety Corps including traditional rulers and various community heads. Freight forwarders and others attended and participated in the robust engagement. The Benin Republic  Customs, traditional rulers and representatives of business communities along the trade corridor also  recorded  an impressive attendance.
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‎The parley which was largely interactive was in pursuant of a standing mandate  by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, that all identified impediments to free flow of trade are eradicated in line with the extant laws and  ECOWAS protocols of free movement of goods and persons.
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‎In his opening remarks, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga described the Seme-Krake border as  strategic to trade in the West African sub region as it plays a critical role in intra- African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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‎The border post, he explained, holds great economic potentials to the benefit of citizens and traders from the two nations that share historic, cultural and trade relationships dating back to  the pre-independence era.
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‎Top on the list of identified impediments to trading along the corridor was the persistent presence of uncountable checkpoints mounted by state actors and non-state actors alike .

CAC Adenuga (centre) in a group photograph with traditional rulers, heads of security agencies and others.

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‎In his presentation, Deputy Controller of Immigration Joseph Orji, who stood in for Peter Aduche, Head, Lagos State Border Patrol Team, attempted an explanation of their presence on the road, explaining that in the line of duty, Immigration deals with human beings. However, he admitted, it will be best for everyone to work with the fear of God. And when this happens, seamless trade facilitation takes place.
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‎Chief Tunde Diro, a representative of the Akran of Badagry vocally condemned the multiplicity of checkpoints within short distances along the Badagry-Seme road and said it is disgraceful. A case in point  Gbaji after the long bridge.

‎He deplored a situation where overlap of same functions exists with agencies and even non-state actors working at cross purposes to embarrass tourists and others on legitimate business.
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‎Speaking, Hon Joseph Agoro, a community chief, equally deplored the level of harassment that commuters suffer in the hands of different agencies along the route insisting it was high time the menace was addressed. He lamented the level of indiscipline some officers exhibit and demanded urgent action. “Show us some respect and we shall return to you”, he declared.

‎Most speakers condemned the use of rude and insolent camp boys by different agencies to harass and extort money along the corridor. To overcome this, they advocated continuous training and inter-agency meeting. For instance, they lamented frequent unreasonable demands by some officers of the Nigerian Quarantine Service, an act that is crippling commodity trading businesses.
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‎Contributing on behalf of the ECOWAS Business Forum, Mrs Omotola Amani focused on sexual harassment of the opposite sex who strive to grow their businesses along the corridor.
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‎Other speakers called on various agencies to expand employment of the youths as a way to control restiveness. They also asked Customs to revive the abandoned Customs Secondary School project in Badagry as part of her corporate social responsibility.
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‎ Captain H.I. Maidugu of the Nigerian Air Force recalled that some unscrupulous persons use the corridor for human trafficking. Often times, many girls about to be trafficked have been intercepted at checkpoints. He announced that notwithstanding, any of his officers caught in dismeanour would always face stiff sanctions.
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‎In the end, Comptroller Wale Adenuga itemised some of the resolutions which he promised to escalate to appropriate authorities for consideration. These included a  reduction in the number of checkpoints along the route to make the corridor more business-friendly.
‎On employment, he made it clear that  selection for Customs job is purely merit -based.  External influence plays no role. He promised that Customs would revitalise the abandoned school project.
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‎CAC Adenuga called on entrepreneurs top establish industries to tap into the abundant coconut in the area for the making of finished products as this would create job opportunities for the indigenous people especially the youths.
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‎The engagement encouraged Nigerians and other nationals to get their National Identification Cards to avoid cases of embarrassment while transiting along the corridor.
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‎The usual monthly inter-agency meeting, the CAC assured, is to be strengthened to  deepen and expand the existing synergy.
‎He advised various communities to try to cooperate with all government agencies while their legitimate complaints would  be addressed.
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‎Comptroller Adenuga stressed that any officer or non-state actor caught impeding  free movement of persons and goods that have met all formal conditions shall be arrested and prosecuted.

‎He urged all travelers and traders to bring their complainants to him directly or call the PRO for immediate and prompt action.
‎Truck examination, he said, shall be conducted at the designated examination bays to streamline the process of importation into Nigeria from the neighbouring country.
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‎ Head of Benin Customs at the Krake border, Lt. Col Arnaud Midgrokan, who  doubles as Co-Chair of the JBP, appreciated Comptroller Adenuga for the meeting and expressed optimism that the engagement would open avenues to solutions for all identified challenges.

‎He promised cooperation and regular collaboration with his Nigerian counterpart to promote lawful commercial activities and continually ensure zero compromise to the joint agreements of both countries.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎ Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project encompassing various security arsenals that have enhanced safety of the marine environment three years running has been recommended as  a model other nations should copy to ensure lasting safety in their domain.
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‎Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr Arsenio Dominguez who is on a three-day visit to  Nigeria stated this in Lagos, Saturday, after watching an anti-piracy demonstration exercise by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) at the Navy Town, Ojo.
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‎The exercise observed by the top echelon of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy showcased a multi-layered maritime security and anti-piracy operation integrating combatant interceptor boats, special mission helicopters in the air and other intelligence assets collaborating under the framework of the Deep Blue Project to rescue a vessel under “attack” by pirates.The simulation saw troops storm the vessel, arrest the hijackers, conduct medical evacuations while escorting the ‘distressed’ vessel to safe anchorage.

Dr Kevin Okonna, Ag Rector, MAN, Oron, with other dignitaries watching the anti-piracy simulation display.

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‎Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola, NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho joined Mr Dominguez to watch the anti-piracy simulation on display. Others on the train were the Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr Kevin Okonna, and other agency heads under the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.
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‎Addressing the press shortly after the demonstration, the Minister recalled the  current campaign by Nigeria for re-election into the IMO Council, an effort  eloquently supported by verifiable achievements in anti-piracy operations and maritime safety.
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‎  “I am proud of what we have achieved in the past months,” the Minister stated. “With these results, Nigeria is well-positioned to return to the IMO Council and continue contributing to global maritime governance”.

Dr Mobereola, NIMASA DG, receiving a souvenir at the event.

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‎In his remarks, NIMASA DG, Dr Mobereola told the IMO chief that his agency’s Deep Blue Project is a game- changer, a veritable strategy that has been deployed to achieve the maritime security Nigeria is enjoying presently.
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‎“The Deep Blue Project is a multi-layered security architecture that has been very powerful for us in the past three years.  It represents teamwork across all security agencies, and that collaboration is what makes it effective. We are determined to sustain the programme so that no barriers or interruptions affect its success.”
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‎In his intervention, the IMO Scribe referred to the display one of the most impressive displays he had seen and experienced. Maritime security, he explained , is critical for Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
‎”The fact that for the past three years Nigeria has recorded no piracy attacks in its national waters demonstrates the effectiveness of this project.”
‎He urged the Federal Government to continue supporting the initiative.
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‎ “I strongly encourage Nigeria to sustain the Deep Blue Project. The results are clear.  Enhanced maritime security supports the economy, boosts trade, and strengthens global confidence in Nigeria as a safe shipping destination.”
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‎The IMO Secretary-General had earlier inspected ‘NNS Lana,’ the Nigerian Navy’s hydrographic vessel, as well as NIMASA’s C4i Centre and Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC). He commended the nature of the arsenals,  noting with delight that Nigeria has developed the right mix of assets to effectively tackle maritime insecurity.
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‎The IMO Secretary-General’s visit not only underscored Nigeria’s growing leadership in Gulf of Guinea maritime security but also spotlighted the country’s investments in manpower, technology, and international cooperation.

‎As Nigeria campaigns for a return to the IMO Council, the Deep Blue Project  hailed for delivering three years of zero piracy in Nigerian waters  stands as both a national achievement and a global benchmark in maritime safety.
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