The Customs Area Controller in charge of the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Kaila, has stated that the command collected N9.789bn in revenue between March 2026 and the present date.
Kaila stated this on Monday at the command in Seme while addressing journalists on the command’s operational activities and achievements in the areas of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling enforcement since he assumed office in March 2026.
He added that the figure represents an increase of N7.610bn when compared to the sum of N2.188bn collected within the same period in 2025.
Kaila attributed the achievement 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.
Kaila reiterated that within the period under review, the command recorded a significant improvement in revenue performance.
“From March 2026 to date, the command generated total revenue of N9.798bn. This represents an increase of N7.610bn when compared to the sum of N2.188bn collected within the corresponding period in 2025. The figure translates to an impressive growth rate of 448 per cent,” he said.
The CAC stressed that the command’s operational pillars remain central to the statutory responsibilities of the service under the NCS Act 2023 and are aligned with the economic reform agenda and national development priorities of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of Bola Tinubu.
In the area of anti-smuggling operations, Kaila highlighted that the command has sustained aggressive intelligence-led enforcement activities aimed at combating economic sabotage, protecting local industries, and safeguarding public health and national security.
He explained that within the period under review, 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 1,000 parcels of cannabis sativa, a narcotic substance prohibited under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act and Section 245(1) of the NCS Act, 2023,” he said.
He pointed out that the seized narcotics are currently being processed for formal handover to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.
The CAC emphasised that, in addition, the command intercepted substantial quantities of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and various sexual enhancement drugs lacking certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
“These items contravene the provisions of Section 55(1)(c) of the NCS Act, 2023. The products seized include one carton containing 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca syrup, 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine, 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, 100 packs of Tramaking, and 100 packs of Tempendol. These products will also be formally handed over to NAFDAC for appropriate regulatory action,” he added.
Kaila mentioned that the command recorded significant seizures of other prohibited and restricted goods in separate enforcement operations.
“These include 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, 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, and 250 bales of used clothing, and the duty paid value of all the aforementioned intercepted items is N501m,” he said.
He said that these seizures underscore the command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and reaffirm its determination to protect the nation’s economy, support local industries, preserve public safety, and enforce compliance with extant import and export regulations.
According to him, the renewed dedication and vigilance demonstrated by officers and men of the command have also contributed immensely to this performance.
“We remain committed to sustaining these gains through institutional reforms, intelligence-driven monitoring, and transparent trade procedures capable of guaranteeing continuous revenue growth without obstructing legitimate trade activities,” he stated.
Kaila stressed that through sustained stakeholder consultations and regular interface meetings, the command has addressed operational bottlenecks, simplified clearance procedures, and improved compliance awareness.
He said that officers of the command 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,” he said.
While announcing 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, the CAC warned smugglers and their collaborators that the command will not serve as a haven for illicit trade.
He assured compliant traders and legitimate business operators that compliance remains the safest, fastest, and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade.
“We encourage stakeholders to continue utilising our trade facilitation platforms and dispute-resolution mechanisms for seamless business operations. 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,” he said.
Kaila stated that the 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.
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 and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
In line with the trade facilitation mandate of the service, 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.
