Seme Customs Command Intercepts 10,000 Bags of Expired Flour, Rakes N1.5b Revenue in September 2025

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has struck another major blow against smugglers, seizing a staggering 10,000 bags of expired flour and several other prohibited items in a recent operation that underscores the agency’s renewed determination to protect Nigeria’s borders.

Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the Area Controller of the Seme Command, disclosed the development on Thursday while parading the seized items before journalists at the command headquarters.

He said the massive haul, valued at over ₦1 billion, was the result of weeks of intensive surveillance and coordinated enforcement along the Seme axis.

According to Adenuga, officers of the command intercepted not only the expired flour but also a variety of other contraband, including smuggled vehicles, bags of foreign parboiled rice, drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), bales of used clothing, and consignments of Indian hemp.

He explained that the expired flour, which had been carefully concealed in trucks and warehouses, posed a significant public health risk had it entered the Nigerian market. “We will not allow expired or substandard goods to find their way into our country and endanger our citizens,” he declared.

The Comptroller stated that the seizure aligns with the Service’s broader mission of curbing smuggling activities that undermine national economic growth and public safety.

He emphasized that the fight against economic sabotage remains a top priority for the Nigeria Customs Service.
Adenuga, who described smuggling as an act of sabotage against the nation’s economy, warned that those who continue to indulge in the illicit trade will face the full weight of the law. “Smuggling is not only a crime; it is an assault on our economy and on legitimate businesses that pay taxes and abide by the law,” he said.

He further commended the synergy among various security agencies, crediting inter-agency cooperation for the success of the operation. According to him, the collaboration between the Customs Service, the Nigerian Navy, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) played a vital role in tracking, intercepting, and confiscating the illegal consignments.

The command, he revealed, generated ₦1.5 billion in revenue for the month of September 2025, reflecting both the improved compliance level of traders and the command’s intensified vigilance at the border.

The Seme Border, which serves as a major gateway between Nigeria and Benin Republic, has long been a hotspot for smugglers attempting to move goods illegally in and out of the country. However, with the renewed enforcement strategy, the command has successfully disrupted several smuggling networks.

Adenuga assured the public that the Customs Service would continue to strengthen border surveillance using intelligence gathering, technology, and community partnerships. He stressed that public support remains essential in exposing and discouraging smuggling operations.

“Members of the public must understand that smuggling affects everyone—it denies the government needed revenue, kills local industries, and sometimes puts dangerous goods into circulation,” he noted.

He lauded the officers and men of the command for their resilience and professionalism, despite the risks and challenges that come with border enforcement. “The success we record daily is a testament to the hard work and patriotism of our officers,” Adenuga remarked proudly.

The seized items, now in Customs custody, are expected to be processed according to existing regulations. Authorities say the expired flour and other hazardous goods will be properly destroyed in line with environmental safety standards.

Stakeholders in the maritime and trade sectors have commended the Customs Service for its vigilance, urging it to sustain the momentum and continue to prioritize national security and consumer protection.

As the operation wrapped up, Comptroller Adenuga reaffirmed that the Seme Area Command remains fully committed to the Nigeria Customs Service’s mission of facilitating legitimate trade while firmly tackling economic crimes that threaten the nation’s well-being.