Customs Uncover Shocking Contraband Shipment At Seme Border

(Nigeria Customs. Photo Credit: Vanguard News)

The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has executed a comprehensive enforcement operation dismantling smuggling networks and intercepting contraband destined for the domestic market.

Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, head of the command, revealed the seizures to stakeholders, attributing the successes to intelligence-driven operations and rigorous border surveillance.

Officers examined a consignment containing 1,306 sacks of degraded noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.

The products exhibited advanced deterioration and visible decomposition, with evidence suggesting smugglers intended to repackage and relabel them for sale to Nigerian consumers.

Had the shipment proceeded undetected, widespread exposure to food poisoning, gastrointestinal illnesses and other serious medical consequences would have resulted.

The command also apprehended 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each 50 kilogrammes, smuggled via unauthorised routes.

On the narcotics front, seizures included 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 cigarette sticks.

Kaila described these as dangerous commodities with capacity to destroy lives, facilitate criminality, encourage substance abuse and compromise youth futures.

The command intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials capable of enabling t3rrorism, b@nditry, kidn@pping and violent crime.

The explosives were transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safekeeping and investigation.

Additional seizures encompassed vehicles and watercraft valued at N365.1 million in duty-paid valuation.

Between January and July 2026, the command generated N19.8 billion in revenue, a 24.45 per cent increase from the N15.9 billion recorded in the corresponding 2025 period.