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Smuggling booms at Seme border 18 months after reopening

Published

4 years ago

June 11, 2022

Eighteen months after the Federal Government announced the reopening of the Seme border following a 14-month closure, smuggling is once more thriving there, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

When the Federal Government announced the closure of the Seme border in August 2019, the intention was to curb the smuggling of goods and weapons.

A tour of the border by our correspondent showed that there was a lull in commercial activities in the community, while smuggling continued to boom.

The once busy J4 and J5 motor parks located at the border community, where commuters board vehicles to different parts of Lagos State, have long been demolished with little or no space left for vehicles again.

A motorcyclist, Mr Orji Ike, who specialises in conveying passengers across the border, said, “The business of smuggling is booming now unlike before. During the border closure, it was moving very slowly as people were being careful not to be caught. Now, people freely go to Cotonou to buy second-hand clothing and come in and nobody disturbs anybody.

“Even if you want to buy cannabis sativa, I will take you across and when you are done, call me I will come and pick you and nobody will disturb you, but that one comes with extra charges”

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Corroborating the motorcyclist, a trucker, who gave his name simply as Babafryo, added that smuggling of all types of contraband was booming at the border.

He said, “There is no type of goods that we can’t carry across or bring in here; at worst, we go through the waterside. Many people, especially those crossing with contraband, go through the waterside to avoid disturbance even though there is little or no disturbance on the normal route.

“If you are coming in with large quantities of contraband, we have the type of cars we use to bring such goods in and the time so that nobody will disturb the cars. Though business is still very dull now compared to before the closure, we are very hopeful it will pick up. In case you have any thing that you want us to help you take across to either Seme or to bring to Nigeria, let us know; that is what we do.”

A resident of the area, Blessing Adejo, lamented that there had been a massive drop in activities at the border following the closure and eventual reopening, even as he blamed the Monday sit-at-home by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra in the South-East as the reason the border was dry when our correspondent visited the community on Monday.

“The truth is that since the closure and reopening of the border, activities have been very slow here; you can see how we are just standing with no work. People are not travelling; I believe another reason why the border is so dry today is because of the Monday sit-at-home in the South-East,” Adejo stated.

When queried on why he blamed the sit-at-home as the reason why activities at the border remained low, he said, “We all know that the Igbo travel a lot; they make use of this border more. So, since the sit-at-home started, most of them coming from the South-East cannot come on Mondays, but other days are better.”

A food vendor, Ijeoma Onye, said activities in the area had been paralysed due to the closure and eventual reopening of the border.

Adejo also said a lot of people had relocated out of the area adding, “Some of the people who are doing business in the area have travelled due to low patronage. The area is no longer the way it used to be before the border closure. We are, however, hopeful that business will soon pick up again.”

The Seme chapter Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Lasisi Fanu, said it was now more expensive to bring in goods through the border than through the seaports.

He said members of the association spent a minimum of N1.8m to clear a 40-foot container and N1.3m to clear a 20-foot container, adding that the government had stopped informal trade, which was affecting their businesses drastically.

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Fanu stated, “There has not been any change since they reopened the border; the border was reopened in 2020 and nothing drastically has changed. The clearing procedure in Cotonou still remains the same; it has been N1.8m for 40-foot and N1.3m for 20-foot containers.

“Before now, we used trucks to load goods from Cotonou directly, so you can combine more than one container in a truck and move it as one, because it was an informal trade then. But before they reopen the border, they said the informal trade must stop and it has stopped. They said the goods must move into Nigeria in the original form, which is containerised, and it must be received by the Nigeria Customs Service before you can think of opening the container.”

He also said that most of the trucks with goods going to Cotonou were under the Economic Community of West African Trade Liberalisation Scheme.

Fanu added, “So with that in Nigeria now, we work with the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report. Though we worked with the PAAR before, we paid in bulk as informal trade, but now, you open PAAR with the container number and you pay the same amount and still pay in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

“So, that extra amount we pay in Cotonou stands to be something extraordinary, because it is not applicable for people that import through Lagos. If, for instance, you spend N2.5m as the landing cost from Cotonou, Lagos will spend N1.5m because of the extra cost of clearing in the Cotonou port.”

Fanu said life in the border community had been tough since the reopening because the government had failed to show its presence in the community.

He advised the government to establish a truck park at the border, adding that the facility would generate revenue for the government.

Fanu added, “Life has been tough here since the reopening of the border. If the government of Nigeria can provide some services at the border post like trailer parks, they will be generating revenue for the government. But the government doesn’t want to do that; how do you think people living in the border community will survive? They will have to involve themselves in one illegal trade or the other.

“So, life here is very tough because the government has failed to show its presence in the community. We have been asking to be given facilities, but they have refused. Seme border happens to be the only industry in this area, likewise Idiroko and Owode. Since the reopening, nothing has been given to the border community.”

Also speaking, the Seme border Chairman of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Ekene Onyeebuchi, said, “There is not much change at the border; presently we don’t have enough work here as business no longer come. Imported goods are very scanty here; once in a while you will see one or two containers. Before the closure, business was booming, but now, to clear goods here is more expensive because the government of Benin Republic has added some charges to what we pay.

“They now take a high transit charge; we spend CFA1.4m in Cotonou, which is almost the same thing with the naira and you need to carry it by truck to the border where you will spend almost CFA500,000. And they have a container deposit of about CFA3m. So, these are some of the challenges and the government will take some percentage out as tax.”

Speaking on the issue of smuggling, the Customs Public Relations Officer in charge of the command, Husseni Abdullahi, said, “There is no country in the world where there is no smuggling, the countries only fight to reduce it to the barest minimum.

“There is no country in the world where smuggling has been stopped completely; we only try to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum and to the best of our ability. I know that officers and men of my command are doing their best to ensure that we suppress smuggling to the barest minimum.”

He said the commonest products smuggled through the route were petroleum products and so far, the command had seized over 300,000 litres

Abdullahi stated, “And to tell you the fact that we are doing that, the common smuggling activity in this terrain is smuggling of petroleum products and as far as I am concerned, the command is doing wonderfully well on that aspect. I can tell you that between January and now, we have over 327,000 litres of petroleum products seized by the officers.

“We are still on that even as I am talking to you, we still have seizures of petroleum products. We have measures to suppress smuggling in this axis aside from the Customs Area Controller patrol team, we have other patrol teams; we have the anti-bunkering unit that has to do with that one.

“And to God be the glory, we are achieving success in that regard. You will never see second-hand clothing in our domain because we don’t allow that; we have two approved checkpoints by the government.”

Related Topics:Featured reopening Seme border smuggling

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Odunlade Adekola Surprises Mother With Brand New Car On Her Birthday

Published

9 hours ago

May 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Odunlade Adekola and mother

Odunlade Adekola Surprises Mother With Brand New Car On Her Birthday

Nollywood veteran Odunlade Adekola has once again demonstrated his deep love and appreciation for his mother, Deaconess Felicia Akoke Adekola , by gifting her a brand new car on the occasion of her birthday. The actor, known for his comic roles and distinctive Yoruba movie portrayals, took to his Instagram page to share a heartwarming video capturing the moment his mother received the luxurious gift. In the adorable clip, Odunlade was seen playfully teasing his mother about her driving skills, asking “Can you drive?” while she sat behind the wheel of her new whip, adding a touch of humour to the emotional moment. The actor also offered a prayer for his mother in the video’s caption, wishing her a life of peace and health. “Happy birthday to you, Our Great Mummy. Deaconess F. A. ADEKOLA… E PE LAYE NINU ALAFIA L’ ORUKO JESU. We LOVE You, Grandma” , the actor wrote .

This is not the first time the Nollywood star has made headlines for his generosity towards his parents. In previous years, the actor has been spotted splashing out on luxury vehicles for his father as well. In a separate viral video, Odunlade was captured surprising his father with a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser , leaving the elderly man in awe of the lavish gift. The actor has consistently shown that family remains a top priority in his life, frequently sharing moments with his parents on social media and celebrating their milestones publicly. His pattern of generosity has earned him widespread admiration from fans who see him as a devoted son who never forgets his roots .

The recent car gift adds to the actor’s long history of publicly honoring his mother. In 2025, Odunlade celebrated his mother’s 80th birthday with a heartfelt message and prayers, thanking God for granting her another year filled with strength and divine protection. In 2023, he marked her 70th birthday with an emotional celebration that saw Deaconess Felicia break down in tears of joy during her speech. Videos shared on Odunlade’s Instagram page captured the touching moment, with the actor himself remarking on how moved he was by his mother’s emotions. He affectionately described her as a strong and resilient woman, invoking divine protection and blessings upon her .

Odunlade’s generous gesture has attracted praise from fans and followers across social media, with many applauding the actor for his devotion to family. The heartwarming video has since gone viral, generating thousands of comments and reactions from admirers who commend the actor for his humility and kindness toward his parents. Many fans have taken to the comment section to share their own stories of filial devotion, while others simply expressed their admiration for the actor’s consistent display of love for his family. The viral clip has become a trending topic on Instagram, with fans tagging friends and family to share in the heartwarming moment .

Adekola remains one of Nollywood’s most beloved and bankable stars, with recent projects including the 2026 film “Adunni” alongside fellow actors Eniola Ajao, Latif Adedimeji, and Kehinde Bankole. His consistent box office appeal and massive fan following have cemented his status as a household name in the Nigerian film industry. Beyond his acting career, Odunlade has also ventured into music and production, further expanding his influence in the entertainment space. Despite his fame and success, he has remained grounded, often sharing glimpses of his family life and humble beginnings with his millions of followers .

The actor’s latest act of kindness has resonated deeply with his audience, particularly at a time when negative news dominates headlines. Many have described the gesture as a refreshing reminder of the importance of family values and gratitude. “This is what true success looks like — taking care of those who raised you,” one fan wrote in the comment section. Another added, “Odunlade Adekola is not just a great actor; he is a great son. God bless him and his family.” The overwhelming positive response highlights the deep connection the actor shares with his fan base and the respect he commands both within and outside the entertainment industry .

As Odunlade Adekola continues to shine on the silver screen, his actions off-screen — particularly his devotion to his parents — serve as an inspiration to many. The new car gift to his mother is yet another chapter in his ongoing story of gratitude, love, and family commitment. For the actor, success is not just measured by box office numbers or awards, but by the joy and comfort he can bring to the people who mattered most in his journey. Deaconess Felicia Akoke Adekola, now the proud owner of a brand new car, can certainly attest to that.

Odunlade Adekola Surprises Mother With Brand New Car On Her Birthday

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Gumi Denies Supporting Bandits, Threatens Legal Action

Published

12 hours ago

May 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Gumi Denies Supporting Bandits, Threatens Legal Action

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has denied allegations linking him to support for banditry in Nigeria, describing reports and materials circulating online as fake, manipulated and deliberately doctored to damage his reputation.

The Kaduna-based cleric made the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday while reacting to renewed criticism over some of his comments and engagements relating to insecurity and banditry in northern Nigeria.

According to Sheikh Gumi, individuals and groups pursuing ethnic and sectional interests have continued to misrepresent his public comments and media interviews to portray him as a supporter of armed groups.

He warned that those spreading false allegations against him could face legal action if they failed to desist.

The Islamic scholar insisted that he has never supported banditry, terrorism or violent criminal activities in any part of the country.

“I hereby state unequivocally that any video clip, written statement, or message attributed to me, whether directly or by innuendo suggesting support for, justification of, protection of, or advocacy for banditry in Nigeria or anywhere else does not emanate from me,” Gumi stated.

He said several of his public lectures, interviews and comments on insecurity had been deliberately distorted by online content creators seeking sensational headlines, traffic and public outrage.

The cleric urged Nigerians, media organisations and government authorities to disregard misleading reports being circulated in his name.

The controversy surrounding Sheikh Ahmad Gumi intensified following recent calls for his arrest over comments perceived by critics as sympathetic to bandits operating across northern Nigeria.

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Bandit groups have been responsible for mass kidnappings, killings, attacks on villages and destruction of property in states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Sokoto.

One of those who recently demanded Gumi’s arrest was Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju.

The criticism followed an interview in which Gumi reportedly stated that bandits often demand ransom payments to restock their weapons and sustain their operations.

The remarks generated widespread backlash on social media, with many Nigerians accusing the cleric of appearing to justify criminal activities.

Despite the criticism, Gumi maintained that his engagements with armed groups over the years were aimed at promoting peace, dialogue and reconciliation.

He explained that his interventions were intended to encourage bandits to surrender violence and embrace peaceful coexistence.

The cleric also reaffirmed his loyalty to Nigeria, describing the country as a nation blessed with enormous potential despite its current security and economic challenges.

He expressed hope that Nigeria would eventually overcome insecurity through collective efforts involving citizens, security agencies and the international community.

According to him, the root causes of insecurity include poverty, ignorance, unemployment and social injustice.

He therefore called for lasting solutions capable of addressing the socio-economic conditions fuelling violent crimes and banditry across affected communities.

The Federal Government has in recent years intensified military operations against bandits and terrorist groups across northern Nigeria.

Security agencies have continued aerial bombardments and coordinated ground offensives targeting criminal hideouts in forests across Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and neighbouring states.

Authorities have repeatedly insisted that armed groups must surrender unconditionally and warned against any actions capable of legitimising criminal activities.

Meanwhile, security experts remain divided over the effectiveness of negotiation with bandits, with some supporting dialogue as a strategy for reducing violence while others argue that it emboldens criminal elements.

Gumi Denies Supporting Bandits, Threatens Legal Action

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Teacher, Church Choir Master Arrested for Murder of 16-Year-Old WAEC Candidate

Published

17 hours ago

May 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi

Teacher, Church Choir Master Arrested for Murder of 16-Year-Old WAEC Candidate

A 30-year-old private school teacher and church choir master, Nathaniel Baiyegun, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for the alleged kidnapping and murder of his 16-year-old former student, a West African Senior School Certificate Examination candidate identified as Florence . In a shocking confession obtained by Saturday PUNCH, Baiyegun admitted that after the teenager died, he collected a ransom of N500,000 from her father and spent almost all of it on online sports betting . He is now in police custody facing charges of kidnapping and murder, while the police continue their investigation into the tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the Ogijo community in Sagamu Local Government Area .

The suspect, who taught Physics and Further Mathematics at a private school in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area, and also served as the choir master of a Pentecostal church in the same community, was arrested following an investigation by the Anti-Kidnapping Section of the Ogun State Police Command . According to police sources, what initially appeared to be a missing person case quickly escalated into a kidnapping investigation and later a homicide case. The command’s image maker, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the arrest and described the successful operation as a testament to the bravery and professionalism of the operatives involved .

According to Baiyegun’s confessional statement, he reconnected with the victim on April 7, 2026, while shooting content for his Instagram page in the community. The teenager had failed her O-Level examinations the previous year and was preparing to rewrite WASSCE. They exchanged contacts, and Baiyegun introduced her to his JAMB and WAEC coaching class, advising her to attend the coaching camp he was organizing for candidates. Baiyegun noted that he was not her direct teacher when she was in his former school, as she was in the humanities class while he taught only science students, but they became very close despite no amorous relationship between them .

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The turning point came when Baiyegun’s friend, identified simply as Sola, expressed interest in dating the teenager. On April 8, 2026, Baiyegun called the victim to come to his new school, where Sola was waiting behind the school premises. After Baiyegun left for his class, Sola allegedly demanded sex from the girl, which she declined, claiming she was on her menstrual period. When Baiyegun returned around 6:30 p.m., Sola had already left. The victim then requested transport fare to return home, but Baiyegun claimed he had no money on him, setting in motion a chain of events that would end in tragedy .

It was at this point, according to the suspect, that the pair planned a fake kidnapping together with the intention of extorting money from her family. “Both of us planned it together. The intention was to collect money from her family. She told me her father could not afford to pay ransom, but that she had a wealthy uncle who could pay. I initiated the kidnap,” Baiyegun reportedly told police. Instead of camping her in the school as she had suggested, Baiyegun took the teenager to an uncompleted building behind the school. Using her phone, he negotiated a ransom of N3 million from her father, communicating through her mobile device, a plan that would ultimately lead to her death .

The girl later complained that she could not sleep well on the first night because she was scared. Baiyegun then gave her four dosages of D5 sleeping tablets and left her there. He was away the following day attending his pastor’s father’s burial ceremony. He returned on the night of April 11, 2026. When he went to check on the girl, he discovered that she was gasping for breath. Instead of seeking medical help, the suspect quickly stopped a motorcycle and took her to a river in the MTN area of Ogijo, where he dumped her body. He lied to the bike rider that she was sick and that he was taking her to his aunt for treatment, a deception that allowed him to conceal his crime temporarily .

After the teenager had died and her body had been dumped, Baiyegun continued communicating with the victim’s father. The father eventually agreed to pay a ransom, sending N500,000 to the suspect. However, Baiyegun never informed the father that his daughter was already dead. “I lied to him that his daughter would be released as soon as the ransom was paid,” the suspect confessed. He then admitted, “I spent almost all the money on online sports betting, and I regret it now” – a chilling admission that has drawn widespread condemnation from members of the public and legal observers .

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Though Baiyegun claimed that the killing was accidental, preliminary police investigations revealed that he was allegedly involved in internet fraud and had at one time requested nude photographs from the deceased, which were reportedly sent to him through her mobile phone. Police sources also alleged that the suspect had attempted to force the teenager into a relationship with his friend before the kidnapping. These revelations have painted a darker picture of the suspect, who was expected to be a role model to his students and a respected figure in his church as a choir master .

In his confessional statement, Baiyegun provided more background about his relationship with the victim. “We became very close, but there was no amorous relationship between us. At times, she would go to my table in the staff room and drop gifts for me, even when I was not around,” he said. He claimed he had severed ties with her after an incident involving their former principal, where she asked him to lie on her behalf. “She lied to our then principal that she was coming to return my power bank to me after she was caught at a faraway location. It was true that I gave her my power bank, but she returned it to me at school. So, when she called me to tell me that I should help her lie to the principal that she had come to return my power bank when he saw her, I was very upset, and I severed my relationship with her,” he reportedly wrote in the statement .

CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, while reacting to the incident on Friday, urged residents to be mindful of the company they keep. He commended the officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for their successful operation leading to the arrest of the suspect and recovery of incriminating exhibits . “The successful operation carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, leading to the arrest of the notorious suspect and recovery of incriminating exhibits, underscores the bravery, professionalism, and unwavering dedication of the operatives,” Babaseyi said .

The command expressed appreciation for the continued support of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, towards tactical policing, intelligence-led operations, and the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes. The command also acknowledged the strategic leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, which has continued to yield remarkable security successes within Ogun State . “The Ogun State Police Command assures residents that sustained efforts are being intensified to dismantle all criminal syndicates operating within the state and its environs, while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information,” Babaseyi added .

As the investigation continues, Baiyegun remains in police custody. The tragic death of the 16-year-old WAEC candidate has sent shockwaves through the Ogijo community, raising troubling questions about the safety of students and the trust placed in educators. The suspect, who was expected to be a shining light to his students and choristers, now faces the full weight of the law for the alleged kidnapping and murder of a young girl who once looked up to him as a mentor and guide. The case has also reignited conversations about the prevalence of online sports betting addiction among young Nigerians and its potentially devastating consequences when combined with criminal desperation.