SEME Command Generates Over 9 Billion in Revenue; Seized Cannabis, Unregistered Drugs, Among others

By Stella Okocha 

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command has recorded a huge influx in revenue by generating over nine billion Naira within two months.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, revealed this significant increase in revenue during his first media briefing today 25th of May, 2026 at the Seme Command headquarters.

Compt Kaila stated that the briefing was convened to provide an overview of the Command’s operational activities and achievements in the areas of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling enforcement since his assumption of office in March 2026.

“I am pleased to inform you that the Seme Area Command has recorded a significant improvement in revenue performance within the period under review. From March 2026 to date, the Command generated a total revenue of Nine Billion, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Nine Naira (₦9,798,938,969)”.

“This represents an increase of Seven Billion, Six Hundred and Ten Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty Naira (₦7,610,533,220) when compared to the sum of Two Billion, One Hundred and Eighty-Eight Million, Four Hundred and Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty-Nine Naira (₦2,188,405,749) collected within the corresponding period in 2025”, he said.

Kaila highlighted that the figure translates to an impressive growth rate of 448 percent; attributing remarkable achievements to strengthened compliance mechanisms, improved stakeholder cooperation, intensified anti-revenue leakage measures, enhanced operational efficiency, and the strategic deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.

He pointed that these operational pillars remain central to the statutory responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and are aligned with the economic reform agenda and national development priorities of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

While addressing the issue of anti-smuggling operations, Compt Kaila said the Command has sustained aggressive intelligence-led enforcement activities aimed at combating economic sabotage, protecting local industries, and safeguarding public health and national security.

According to him, “Within the last two months, coordinated patrols and surveillance operations conducted along the Seme-Badagry corridor and adjoining routes resulted in the interception of several prohibited and restricted items.

Notably, the Command seized 1000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic substance prohibited under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act and Section 245(1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. The seized narcotics are currently being processed for formal handover to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution”.

The Command also seized pharmaceutical unregistered drugs which includes one carton containing 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup (100ml each), 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine (30ml each), 10 cartons of Ultimate Plus Maca Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Super Sexy Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Machine Man Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, quantities of Bottom Up Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 100 packs of Tramaking, and 100 packs of Tempendol. These products were formally handed over to National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for appropriate regulatory action, as they contravene the provisions of Section 55(1)(c) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

Kaila further declared other recorded significant seizures of prohibited and restricted goods in separate enforcement operations; which includes 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of 25 litres each of foreign vegetable oil, 103 kegs of 30 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bales of used clothing with the Duty Paid Value of 501,845,772 Naira.

He added that these seizures underscore the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and reaffirm their determination to protect the nation’s economy, support local industries, preserve public safety, and enforce compliance with extant import and export regulations.

In the area of trade facilitation, Kaila informed the press that the Command has intensified engagement with critical stakeholders including licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, transport unions, importers, exporters, traditional institutions, and sister security agencies operating within the corridor.

“As one of Nigeria’s most strategic and busiest land border formations, the Seme Area Command occupies a critical position in regional and continental trade integration frameworks, particularly under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”.

“Through sustained stakeholder consultations and regular interface meetings, the Command has addressed operational bottlenecks, simplified clearance procedures, improved compliance awareness, and strengthened mutual trust between the Service and the trading public”.

“Our officers continue to provide guidance and support to Small and Medium Enterprises seeking access to regional and international markets, particularly in export documentation and regulatory compliance processes. These initiatives are directly aligned with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, promotion of non-oil exports, and ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking”.

“At Seme Area Command, we remain resolute in our commitment to facilitating lawful trade while ensuring strict enforcement against illicit activities capable of undermining national economic interests”,Kaila addressed.

Compt Abdullahi Kaila issued a strong warning to smugglers and their collaborators that the Seme Area Command, insisting they will not serve as a safe haven for illicit trade.

He boasted that the Command has significantly strengthened its intelligence network, enhanced surveillance capacity across land and maritime routes, and intensified collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies to combat trans-border crimes and economic sabotage.

He reiterate that compliance remains the safest, fastest, and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade; encouraged compliant traders and legitimate business operators, stakeholders to continue utilising the trade facilitation platforms and dispute-resolution mechanisms for seamless business operations.

Kaila commended the officers and men of his Command for their resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment to duty, as these results were visible and possible because of their dedication and determination to Service.

He also extend sincere appreciation to critical stakeholders and host communities for their continued support, cooperation, and collaboration with the Command.

He reassured the stakeholders that Nigeria Customs Service, under the purposeful leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, remains fully committed to balancing effective revenue generation with trade facilitation, border security, and national economic development.

Kaila added that Seme Area Command will continue to discharge its responsibilities with integrity, transparency, and professionalism in line with the Service’s reform agenda and the expectations of Nigerians. Also sustain gains through institutional reforms, intelligence-driven monitoring, and transparent trade procedures capable of guaranteeing continuous revenue growth without obstructing legitimate trade activities.