Seme Customs Foils Attempt to Push 65 Tonnes of Expired Noodles Into Nigerian Market

.Intercepts Explosives, Drugs, Others Worth N365m

.Records N19.84bn in Seven Months

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has foiled an attempt by unpatriotic citizens to push over 65 tonnes, that is (1,306 sacks * 50 kg = 65,300 kg), which is 65.3 metric tonnes of expired and waste noodles, into the Nigerian market, potentially exposing unsuspecting consumers to serious health risks.

Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, made this known on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, at a press briefing held at the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos State.

He said the consignment, comprising 1,306 sacks of noodles weighing 50 kilograms each, was intercepted by officers of the command after a truck declared to be carrying food items was subjected to examination following credible intelligence.

Comptroller Kaila explained that the products had deteriorated and were visibly decomposing when officers uncovered them, while intelligence indicated that they were allegedly intended to be repackaged, relabeled and introduced into the Nigerian market.

The seizure, he said, prevented potentially harmful food products from reaching Nigerians.

“Had this shipment succeeded, countless families would have been exposed to serious health hazards ranging from food poisoning and gastrointestinal diseases to other life-threatening medical complications. By intercepting these products, the Nigeria Customs Service has once again demonstrated that border security is also a form of public health protection. Every child, every family and every Nigerian has been protected from what could have become a silent public health disaster”.

The Seme Command also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, after the products were smuggled through illegal routes.

Comptroller Kaila said the smuggling of these foreign parboiled rice not only deprived the government of legitimate revenue but also undermined the Federal Government’s agricultural policies, discouraged local production and threatened the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.

Similarly, the Command also seized 373 parcels of cannabis sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes, in its fight against illicit drugs and harmful substances.

The Area controller said the seizures had disrupted supply chains for products capable of fuelling substance abuse and other forms of criminality.

Also, 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials illegally conveyed through the border corridor were intercepted.

Comptroller Kaila stressed how the explosives can facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes capable of threatening national peace and security.

“Considering the sensitive nature of the seizure, the explosive materials have already been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation,” he said.

Other items seized 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).

The total duty-paid value of the items displayed by the Command was put at N365.16 million.

Kaila said the seizures reflect the command’s intelligence-driven approach to combating smuggling and cross-border criminality, warning smugglers that the Seme corridor would not remain a safe route for economic sabotage.

Meanwhile, the command announced a significant increase in revenue collection, generating N19.84 billion between January and July 2026.

The figure, according to the Area Controller surpassed the N15.94 billion generated by the command for the whole 2025 by N3.9 billion, representing a 24.45% increase.

“This achievement demonstrates that effective enforcement and efficient trade facilitation are complementary responsibilities,” he said, stressing the command would continue to balance enforcement with trade facilitation by creating an enabling environment for compliant traders while denying smugglers opportunities to undermine the economy.

The illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products seized were thereafter handed over to the representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and necessary action.

Comptroller Kaila further commended sister security and regulatory agencies for their cooperation and intelligence sharing, and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to securing the border, facilitating legitimate trade and supporting regional commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).