Be Patriotic and Trade with Integrity, Comptroller Kaila Charges Traders as Seme Command Seizes Contraband Worth Over N500m

..Posts 448% Revenue Surge, generates nearly ₦10 billion in two months. A figure that is nearly five times the figure recorded in the same period last year…

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila has charged traders and other stakeholders operating along the Lagos- Badagry corridor to embrace patriotism and maintain integrity in their business dealings, as the Command intensified anti-smuggling operations with the interception of contraband goods worth over N500 million.

Comptroller Kaila gave the charge on Monday, 25 May 2026, during his maiden press briefing held at the Command’s parade ground at the Seme-Krake Border Post, where he also announced an impressive 448 percent increase in revenue collection since assuming office in March 2026.

According to him, the Command generated a total revenue of N9,798,938,969 within the period under review, representing an increase of N7,610,533,250 when compared to N2,188,405,749 collected within the corresponding period of 2025.

Comptroller Kaila described the feat as a reflection of renewed operational efficiency, attributing the revenue growth to the strategic deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, strengthened transit compliance mechanisms, intensified anti-revenue leakage measures, and improved cooperation among stakeholders in the trade value chain.

“The renewed dedication, professionalism and vigilance demonstrated by officers and men of the Command have contributed immensely to this performance,” Comptroller Kaila said, pledging that the Command would sustain the gains through institutional reforms, intelligence-driven monitoring, and transparent trade procedures capable of guaranteeing continuous revenue growth without obstructing legitimate trade activities.

Speaking on trade facilitation, the Seme Customs boss noted that the command remains one of Nigeria’s busiest and most strategic land border formations, particularly under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

He disclosed that Seme Krake Border Post had intensified engagement with licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, transport unions, importers, exporters, traditional institutions, and other security agencies operating within the corridor in a bid to improve compliance and ease of doing business.

According to him, regular stakeholder consultations and interface meetings have helped to simplify clearance procedures, addressed operational bottlenecks, improved compliance awareness, and strengthened mutual trust between the Service and the trading public.

Comptroller Kaila noted that officers of the Command have continued to provide guidance and support to small and medium-scale enterprises seeking access to regional and international markets, particularly in export documentation and regulatory compliance processes.

On anti-smuggling operations, the Comptroller disclosed that the Command sustained aggressive intelligence-led enforcement activities within the last two months, resulting in several seizures along the Seme-Badagry corridor and adjoining routes.

Among the seizures were 800 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa and other narcotic substances prohibited under the Nigerian Customs Service Act 2023.

The Command also intercepted substantial quantities of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs lacking certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Items recovered include 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maker Syrup, 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine, cartons of sildenafil citrate products branded as “Super Sexy,” “Machine Man,” and “Ultimate Plus Maker,” alongside quantities of Tramakind and Campendol.

Other prohibited goods intercepted during separate operations included 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of foreign vegetable oil, 103 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bags of used clothing.

Kaila stated that the combined duty-paid value of all the seized items stood at ₦501,845,772.

He said the seizures underscored the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the nation’s economy, supporting local industries, safeguarding public health, and enforcing compliance with import and export regulations.

The Controller warned smugglers and economic saboteurs that the Command would further strengthen its intelligence network, enhance surveillance across border routes, and intensify collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies to combat transborder crimes.

“To compliant traders and legitimate business operators, compliance remains the safest, fastest, and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade,” he said.

Comptroller Kaila commended officers and men of the Command for their professionalism, discipline, and resilience, while also appreciating host communities, stakeholders, and the media for their continued support and cooperation with the Service.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to balancing revenue generation with trade facilitation, border security, and national economic development.

Additionally, in line with existing inter-agency collaboration, Comptroller Kaila formally handed over the seized pharmaceutical products to officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for regulatory action, while the intercepted narcotics were transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Area Controller equally disclosed that the six suspects arrested in connection with the seizures had been granted administrative bail pending the conclusion of investigations.