Seme customs command rakes in ₦3.5bn, seizes ₦889m smuggled goods

Seme customs command rakes in ₦3.5bn, seizes ₦889m smuggled goods

The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has announced a revenue generation of ₦3.5 billion between January and May 2025.

This was disclosed by the Controller of the Command, Dr Benedict Oramalugo, during a working visit by the Zonal Coordinator of NCS, Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General Charles Orbih, to the command.

According to Oramalugo, the command also facilitated export consignments totaling 220,300 metric tonnes, with a free-on-board value of ₦47 billion.

He further revealed that anti-smuggling operations within the period led to seizures worth ₦889 million, including expired pharmaceuticals, marijuana, and corrosive mercury, which were handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation.

Despite these achievements, Oramalugo outlined major operational challenges confronting the command, such as a seven-year power outage, dilapidated road infrastructure, non-functional scanning equipment, and border porosity.

He stressed the command’s ongoing efforts at addressing these issues through “advocacy for infrastructure upgrades, deployment of modern surveillance tools, and deeper collaboration with sister security agencies and local communities.”

READ ALSO:

• Eight killed, 400 injured as Kenya anniversary protest turns violent
• Suspected kidnapper arrested after Abuja victim identified him
• Favour Ofili faces three-year wait to represent Turkey

In his remarks, Orbih praised the leadership of the command for its infrastructural upgrades, including the renovation of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) building, the upgrading of the sports complex, and the commissioning of the officers’ mess.

He described the projects as “symbolic of the command’s alignment with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who had anchored the service’s transformation agenda on consolidation, collaboration, and innovation.”

Orbih also commended Zone A for its contribution to national revenue, stating that the zone accounted for 79.8% of the NCS’s ₦1.3 trillion revenue collection in Q1 2025.

He reiterated the service’s commitment to modernisation, referencing key initiatives such as the Advance Ruling System, the Authorised Economic Operators programme, and the B’Odogwu platform, an indigenous customs clearance system.

Highlighting the NCS’s 2025 operational strategy, Orbih said it is guided by seven strategic focus areas, which include:

“Trade modernisation, enhanced risk management, and operationalisation of the NCS University. Others are strengthening international partnerships under the AfCFTA framework, implementation of a robust corporate social responsibility strategy and promotion of open governance through increased transparency framework and stakeholder engagement. These initiatives are already producing commendable outcomes,” he stated.

Orbih encouraged officers and personnel of the command to maintain high standards of professionalism, integrity, and innovation.

“As we move forward, the bar has been set higher for Zone A. Our previous achievements, impressive as they were, should serve as stepping stones rather than resting points. We must leverage our strategic importance to push beyond these accomplishments, innovating and adapting to meet the evolving demands of our nation’s economy and security needs,” he said.

The ACG expressed confidence in the command and its units to not only sustain current gains but exceed them in service to the nation.

Seme customs command rakes in ₦3.5bn, seizes ₦889m smuggled goods