• Seizes N48.9 million foreign currency
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has facilitated the movement of 2,029 trucks carrying over 88,000 metric tonnes of made-in-Nigeria goods through the Seme-Krake Border to other West African countries within two months.
According to NCS, the goods, with a free on board (FOB) value of over N16.9 billion, contributed N84.5 million in fees under the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) and were exported between March 14 and May 13, 2025.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post yesterday, the Customs Area Controller for the Seme Command, Dr Ben Oramalugo, said the service is committed to promoting non-oil exports and to supporting local manufacturers and exporters through efficient border management.
On anti-smuggling activities, Oramalugo said the command recorded multiple significant seizures during its anti-smuggling operations, particularly the interception of large quantities of foreign coins, which are prohibited under Nigeria’s Common External Tariff.
In March, he said, officers intercepted a motorcyclist on Owode Road who abandoned a bag containing various foreign coins and fled.
According to him, the bag contained 49 pieces of two-dollar coins, 1,048 pieces of one-pound coins, 130 pieces of 25 Canadian cents, 236 pieces of 50 pence, 645 pieces of 20 Pence, 420) pieces of 10 pence and 370 pieces of five pence.
Similarly, he disclosed, on April 1, a Mazda vehicle was intercepted along the Badagry-Seme Expressway with a haul of additional prohibited foreign coins.
The seized foreign denominations included 940 pieces of one-pound coins, 80 pieces of two-pound coins, 338 pieces of 50 pence, 540 pieces of 20 pence and 785 pieces of five pence.
He said the total value of the seized currencies was estimated at N48.9 million.
The Customs boss said the items are classified under Item 18 of Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff (CET), which prohibits the importation of silver or metal alloy coins not being legal tender in Nigeria.
He said the most alarming seizure came on May 9, when operatives intercepted a red Toyota Avensis with registration number GGE 667 JN along the Badagry-Lagos expressway, transporting six canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be improvised explosive devices, concealed beneath cartons of the Holy Qur’an.
He said one suspect was arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt.
Other seizures included, 553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 1,415 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 750 kegs of PMS (30kg each), 30 cartons of tobacco and 50 cartons of tomato ketchup, 50 bales of second-hand clothing, five vehicles used as means of conveyance and 420 bottles of unregistered CA-C100 vitamin C and Haldol injections with a total duty paid value (DPV) of N669.8 million.
Oramalugo warned the public against falling victim to fraudsters impersonating Customs officers to auction vehicles via social media.
He stressed that the NCS does not conduct auctions on unverified platforms and urged the public to rely only on official communication channels.
He also commended the officers and men of the command for their dedication and urged parents in border communities to discourage their children from engaging in smuggling or obstructing law enforcement operations.
