Customs Intercept Explosives from Ghana, Expired Noodles in N365m Seme Border Crackdown

Customs Intercept Explosives from Ghana, Expired Noodles in N365m Seme Border Crackdown

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials smuggled from Ghana, alongside 1,306 sacks of expired noodles, narcotics, foreign rice and other contraband. The seizures, with a combined Duty Paid Value of N365.16 million, were unveiled at a press briefing where the Command also announced it had generated N19.84 billion in revenue within the first seven months of 2026.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has dealt a major blow to smuggling and cross-border criminal activities along the Nigeria-Ghana border with the interception of explosive materials, expired noodles, narcotics, foreign rice, cigarettes, and other prohibited items. The seizures, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N365.16 million, were unveiled at a press briefing by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, at the Seme Border in Badagry, Lagos State.

In what has been described as a significant national security intervention, Customs officers intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials being illegally conveyed through the Seme border corridor from Ghana. Kaila emphasised the grave danger these materials posed, stating that explosives of this nature could facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes capable of threatening national peace and security. “Explosives of this nature have devastating consequences when they fall into the hands of criminal elements,” he warned. Due to the sensitive nature of the seizure, the explosive materials, alongside one suspect, have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.

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The Command also intercepted a truck deceptively declared as carrying food items, which was found to contain 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes. Kaila revealed that many of the products had already deteriorated and were visibly decomposing, with intelligence indicating that smugglers intended to repackage and relabel them for sale to unsuspecting Nigerians. “Had this shipment succeeded, countless families would have been exposed to serious health hazards ranging from food poisoning and gastrointestinal diseases to other life-threatening medical complications,” he said. The Customs boss described border security as a form of public health protection, stating that every Nigerian had been shielded from what could have become a silent public health disaster.

In the fight against illicit drugs, the Command seized 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg, and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes. Kaila described these as dangerous products capable of destroying lives, fuelling criminality, encouraging substance abuse, and undermining the future of young people. The illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products will be formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and necessary action.

The Command also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, smuggled through illegal routes. According to Kaila, this illegal importation not only denied the government legitimate revenue but also undermined local rice production and threatened the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers. Other seized items included a used speedboat, a used water bike, a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, a 2016 Toyota RAV4, and a 2010 Nissan Versa.

The Command recorded significant revenue growth, generating N19.84 billion between January and July 2026, surpassing the N15.94 billion collected throughout the entire 2025 fiscal year. This represents a 24.45 per cent increase of N3.899 billion. Kaila attributed the improved revenue performance to enhanced compliance, stronger stakeholder engagement, improved operational efficiency, and intensified enforcement against smuggling. “This achievement demonstrates that effective enforcement and efficient trade facilitation are complementary responsibilities,” he stated.

Kaila issued a stern warning to smugglers and economic saboteurs, declaring that Seme is no longer a safe corridor for illicit trade. He reiterated that the Command had intensified intelligence-driven operations and would continue collaborating with sister security agencies to frustrate criminal activities along the border. He commended sister security and regulatory agencies for their cooperation and intelligence sharing, while also appreciating the media for its role in informing the public and promoting transparency and accountability in Customs operations.

Customs Intercept Explosives from Ghana, Expired Noodles in N365m Seme Border Crackdown