By Innocent Orok
Seme / Krake border Command of the NCS said it has collected a total revenue of N847,058,879. 30k in the month of April 2025. While its process export trade worth N16, 900,987,331.10k and seizures with Duty Paid Value of N669,789,236, within the same period under review.
Briefing journalists at the border Command on Wednesday, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, PhD, Customs Area Controller of the Command said “Today, I will be presenting the activities of the Command covering the period from 13th March to 13th May 2025.
” This engagement is part of our deliberate strategy to deepen transparency, accountability, and effective communication with the media and the public, as we continue to pursue our core mandates of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling operations.
“I am pleased to announce that the Seme Area Command, through commitment and professionalism, generated total revenue of ₦847,058,879.30k 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.
“In facilitation of export trade , Seme Customs Border Command in line with the Federal Government’s agenda on economic diversification through non-oil exports facilitated the movement of 2,029 trucks, equivalent to 88,036.15 metric tonnes of made-in-Nigeria goods. These exports had a Free On Board value of ₦16,900,987,331.10k). While the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees stood at ₦84,504,936.66k).”, the Controller said.
According to Oramalugo “This underscores our role as a critical trade enabler and contributor to national economic growth through efficient border management and support to local manufacturers.”
In the area of anti-smuggling, the Command according to Comptroller Ben Oramalugo has improved and made more seizures after the last press briefing .
“Gentlemen of the press, you may recall that during our last engagement, we reaffirmed our commitment to intensifying the fight against smuggling. I am glad to report that our efforts have continued to yield commendable results.
“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, namely:
“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 and 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 ₦8,975,281.00k.
“These items are classified under Item 18 of Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff (CET), which prohibits the importation of “Silver or Metal Alloy Coins not being legal tender in Nigeria”, Compt. Oramalugo said.
Continuing he said “In a related development, on 9th May 2025, our operatives, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a red Toyota Avensis with registration number GGB 667 JL along the Badagry-Lagos expressway. The vehicle was found to be conveying six canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED), concealed beneath five cartons of the Holy Qur’an. One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.”
Other notable seizures intercepted by the command within 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, one boat and engine, 50 bales of second-hand clothing, five vehicles and also unregistered pharmaceuticals, including 420 bottles of CA-C100 Vitamin C and Haldol injection (5ml).The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all the seizures during the period under review is ₦669,785,236.00k.
Comptroller Oramalugo said,
“In line with our commitment to inter-agency collaboration, we shall be handing over the seized Cannabis Sativa and Cannasive of Corrosive Mercury suspected to be IEDs and unregistered pharmaceuticals to the relevant agencies for discreet investigative action and possible prosecution. This also highlights our readiness to work with sister agencies in safeguarding national security.
“Let me use this 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. The Command dissociates itself from any such illegal activity.
“Please note that the Nigeria Customs Service does not sell or auction seized items via WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, or any unverified platforms. Only follow verified social media handles bearing the official blue tick or any communication directly from the Nigeria Customs Service.
“I wish to commend the gallant officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their steadfastness, professionalism, and integrity. I also thank our stakeholders and partners, including the media, for your continued support and collaboration.
“We remain fully committed to our mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and suppression of smuggling. We shall not be deterred by mischief-makers or their propaganda. The Command will continue to work diligently in the interest of national economic development and security.
“Additionally, we appeal to parents and guardians residing in border communities to counsel their wards and youths to refrain from engaging in smuggling activities and to avoid being used as instruments to obstruct law enforcement officers in the discharge of their legitimate duties.”
