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As part of efforts to maintain balanced international trade and economic diversification through non-oil exports, the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has facilitated exports via 2,029 trucks, equivalent to over 88,036 made-in-Nigeria goods between the period of March 13, 2025 and May 13, 2025.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo who disclosed this in a press briefing at the command’s headquarters on Wednesday said that those exports had a Free On Board (FOB) value of N16,900,987,331.10k.
According to Oramalugo, the National Export Supervision Scheme, NESS fees stood at N84,504,936.66k.
“This underscores our role as a critical trade enabler and contributor to national economic growth through efficient border management and support to local manufacturers”, he said.
Also, during the period under review, the command, through commitment and professionalism, collected the total revenue of N847,058,879.30k for the month of April 2025 alone.
“This achievement reflects our sustained efforts at ensuring that all revenue leakages are blocked, and every legitimate kobo due to the Federal Government is collected without compromise”, Oramalugo stated.
Speaking on anti-smuggling, the Controller disclosed that on 28th March, 2025, at about 2000hrs, operatives of the Command on stop and search duty intercepted a motorcyclist suspected of conveying un-customs goods along Owode road.
“Upon interception, the rider abandoned a Ghana-Must-Go bag and escaped. Upon examination, the bag was found to contain various foreign coins, including 49 pieces of Two-Dollar coins, 1,048 pieces of One-Pound coins, 130 pieces of 25 Canadian cents, 236 pieces of Fifty Pence, 645 pieces of Twenty Pence, 420 pieces of Ten Pence, 370 pieces of Five Pence.
“Similarly, on 1st April 2025, operatives intercepted a Mazda vehicle suspected of carrying smuggled items along the Badagry-Seme Expressway. After a thorough check, the vehicle was found to contain: 940 pieces of One-Pound coins, 80 pieces of Two-Pound coins, 338 pieces of Fifty Penny, 540 pieces of Twenty Penny and 785 pieces of Five Penny. The total value of these seized foreign coins is N8,975,281.00k only.
In a related development, on 9th May 2025, the Command’s operatives also intercepted a red Toyota Avensis with registration number GGE 667 JN along the Badagry-Lagos expressway. The vehicle was found to be conveying 6 canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be improvised explosive device concealed beneath five cartons of the Holy Qur’an. One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.
“Other notable seizures during the period include: 553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), 1,415 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 750 kegs of PMS (30kg each), 30 cartons of Tobacco, 50 cartons of Ketchup Tomato, 1 boat and engine, 50 bales of used clothing, 5 vehicles as means of conveyance and also unregistered pharmaceuticals, including; 420 bottles of CA-C100 Vitamin C and Haldol injection (5ml)
“The total Duty Paid Value, DPV of all seizures during the period under review stood at N669,785,236.00k only.”
The Seme Customs boss revealed that in line with the commitment of the command to inter-agency collaboration, they would be handing over the seized Cannabis Sativa, Corrosive Mercury canisters and unregistered pharmaceuticals to the relevant agencies for discreet investigative actions and possible prosecution.
The CAC, therefore, used the opportunity to alert the general public on the activities of fraudsters who impersonate officers of the Seme Area Command, claiming to auction or sell vehicles.
“These scammers often operate via social media and other informal platforms,” he remarked.
