Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the Controller of Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service displaying bags of flour seized by the command on Thursday in Seme.
By Raji Rasak
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Command, on Thursday said it intercepted five trailer loads of expired flour, with a Duty Paid Value of ₦1.2 billion, coming from Egypt.
Comptroller Wale Adenuga, Controller of Seme Area command of the NCS disclosed this at a news conference in Seme.
According to the controller, the trucks contained 10,000 bags of flour, coming from Egypt to Nigeria, and had expired since March 2024.
He said intelligence on the flour was leaked to them through the office of Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, with the assistance of Nigeria Navy in Abuja.
“The health risks associated with consuming such expired products could have led to severe infections, food poisoning, and long-term health complications.
“Beyond health implications, such unwholesome goods undermine local industries and erode consumers’ trust,” he said.
Adenuga said that other items seized by the command included 1,104 parcels of cannabis sativa, intercepted via intelligence.
“The social and psychological toll of such substances on our youth cannot be overstated.
“120 packs of tramadol 120mg were seized by our operatives. Two suspects were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency , Seme command for further investigation.
“Other seized items include 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each, 150 bale of second-hand clothing, 169 bottles of DSP Cough Syrup with codeine and five used vehicles,” he said.
He said the DPV for all seizures stood at ₦1,99 billion.
On the revenue generation, Adenuga said the command generated ₦1.5 billion in September, compared to ₦531,4 million collected in August.
Adenuga said the outstanding performance reflected the effectiveness of the CGC’s reform agenda, built on compliance, transparency and data-driven monitoring of goods.
“The dedication of officers and men who continued to embody the CGC’s vision of a modern, efficient and accountable customs service contributed to our success.
“Upon assumption of duty, and in line with the CGC’s strategic vision anchored on the policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation, customs declared Trade Facilitation as the hallmark of our administration.
“We believe that when trade is facilitated, processes are streamlined, costs are reduced and more revenue generated.
“Guided by the CGC’s commitment to transparency and modernisation, the Seme area command intensified efforts to simplify procedures, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and ensure that legitimate traders enjoy the full benefits of customs modernisation,” he said.
Adenuga commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, especially the Nigerian navy, for their support in the fight against smuggling om the Seme corridor.
“The navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry, has demonstrated that we are partners in this fight against smuggling by severally handing over foreign parboiled rice intercepted and seized on the waterways and its surrounding, we really appreciate them for that,” he said.
