Controller of Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, displaying bags of flour seized by the command on Thursday in Seme.
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted five trailer loads of expired flour smuggled into the country from Egypt, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) estimated at ₦1.2 billion.
Comptroller Wale Adenuga, who heads the Seme Area Command, disclosed the development during a press briefing on Thursday, describing the seizure as both a public health victory and a win for local industries.
According to Adenuga, the intercepted consignment contained over 10,000 bags of flour, all of which had expired since March 2024.
> “The health risks associated with consuming such expired products could have led to severe infections, food poisoning, and long-term health complications,” he warned.
The interception, Adenuga said, was based on credible intelligence received from the office of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and was made possible with support from the Nigerian Navy in Abuja.
> “Beyond the health implications, such unwholesome goods undermine local industries and erode consumer trust in regulated supply chains,” he added.
*Drugs, rice, and used clothes also seized*
In addition to the flour, the command also recorded multiple seizures in recent weeks, including:
1,104 parcels of cannabis sativa
120 packs of Tramadol (120mg)
2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each)
150 bales of used clothing
169 bottles of codeine-laced cough syrup
5 used vehicles
Two suspects connected to the drug-related items were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Command, for further investigation.
> “The social and psychological toll of such substances on our youth cannot be overstated,” Adenuga noted, referencing the dangers of drug abuse.
*Revenue soars as Customs intensify reforms*
The Seme Command also reported a sharp rise in revenue collection. In September alone, it generated ₦1.5 billion, a significant jump from ₦531.4 million recorded in August.
Adenuga attributed the success to the reform agenda led by CGC Adewale Adeniyi, which prioritizes compliance, transparency, and data-driven monitoring.
> “The dedication of our officers reflects the CGC’s vision of a modern, efficient, and accountable customs service,” he said.
He added that the service remains committed to trade facilitation, stressing that streamlined processes lead to reduced costs and increased revenue.
*Collaboration with Navy lauded*
The customs boss extended special appreciation to the Nigerian Navy, particularly the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry, for their role in combating smuggling on the Seme corridor.
> “They’ve handed over multiple seizures of smuggled parboiled rice intercepted along the waterways. Their support has been instrumental,” he said.
Adenuga reaffirmed the command’s dedication to protecting national economic interests and public health, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious trade activities.
> “In life, the worth of one citizen’s health far outweighs the profit margins of smugglers,” he concluded.
