Customs intercept explosives, expired noodles at Seme border

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials and 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles in separate operations along the Nigeria-Ghana border.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos State.

Kaila said the explosive materials were being illegally conveyed through the border corridor when Customs officers intercepted the consignment following intelligence-led surveillance.

He said the seizure was significant to national security because the materials could be diverted to criminal activities, including terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The seized explosives and a suspect have been handed over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force for safe custody and further investigation, he said.

The Command also intercepted a truck containing 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.

According to Kaila, the truck was initially declared to be carrying food items before Customs officers subjected the consignment to further examination.

He said several of the noodles had deteriorated and were decomposing, while intelligence suggested that the products were allegedly intended to be repackaged and relabelled for sale to unsuspecting consumers.

Kaila said the interception prevented potentially harmful food products from entering the Nigerian market, describing border enforcement as an important component of public health protection.

The Command also seized 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, allegedly smuggled into Nigeria through unauthorised routes.

Other seizures included 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.

The Customs boss said the drugs and pharmaceutical products would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and appropriate action.

Other items seized included a used speedboat, a water bike, a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, a 2016 Toyota RAV4 and a 2010 Nissan Versa.

Kaila said the seized items had a combined Duty Paid Value of N365.16 million.

Meanwhile, the Seme Area Command generated N19.84 billion between January and July 2026, surpassing the N15.94 billion it generated throughout 2025.

The N3.90 billion increase represents a 24.45 per cent rise over the command’s total revenue for 2025.

Kaila attributed the revenue growth to improved compliance, stronger engagement with stakeholders, operational efficiency and intensified enforcement against smuggling.

He said the command would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while tightening enforcement against activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s economy and security.

“Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,” Kaila warned smugglers and other economic saboteurs.

He added that the command would strengthen collaboration with sister security agencies while supporting legitimate cross-border trade and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).