Nigeria Customs Service Seizes Smuggled Rice Worth N919.5 Million At Seme Border.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to curb smuggling, intercepting five trucks carrying 2,800 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N919.5 million. The operation, which took place between 1 and 19 July 2025, also uncovered additional contraband, including 898 parcels of Cannabis Sativa and 250 bales of second-hand clothing, bringing the total DPV of seized goods to N1.27 billion.
Dr Benedict Oramalugo, the Customs Area Controller, announced the seizures during a press briefing at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post in Seme, Lagos. He revealed that the interceptions were made possible through credible intelligence gathered by operatives along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor. The seized items, which also included 1,319 additional bags of rice, 40 bags of sugar, 64 bags of flour, 50 cartons of tomato ketchup, and a boat with an engine, were confiscated as part of the command’s ongoing efforts to enforce Nigeria’s import regulations.
Oramalugo highlighted the detrimental impact of smuggling on Nigeria’s economy, noting that the country is Africa’s leading rice producer, with an annual output exceeding 8 million metric tonnes. He stressed that the importation ban on foreign rice through land borders is critical to supporting local farmers and sustaining the agricultural sector. “Despite Nigeria’s achievements in rice production, some individuals continue to undermine our economic progress through smuggling,” he said, reaffirming the command’s commitment to cracking down on illegal trade.
In addition to the rice and other goods, the seized Cannabis Sativa was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Seme for further investigation. Idris Muhammed, representing the NDLEA Commandant, commended the NCS for its vigilance and inter-agency collaboration.
The Seme Command also reported strong performance in revenue generation and trade facilitation. Between May and June 2025, the command generated N1.59 billion in revenue, attributed to robust anti-smuggling measures and the recent allocation of 12 patrol vehicles, which have enhanced border surveillance. Furthermore, the command facilitated the export of 1,837 trucks carrying over 116,723 metric tonnes of made-in-Nigeria goods, with a Free on Board (FOB) value of N22.37 billion.
Oramalugo praised the dedication of his officers and the support of the military and other security agencies, as well as the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs. He warned that the Seme Command would continue to take a hardline stance against smuggling, ensuring that Nigeria’s fiscal policies are enforced without compromise.
