Customs intercept explosives, expired noodles, narcotics at Seme Border

n n

By Godwin Oritse

n

The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has intercepted explosive materials, expired noodles, narcotics, foreign rice, cigarettes and other prohibited items in a major crackdown on smuggling and cross-border criminal activities.

n

Disclosing this to stakeholders at the border yesterday, Controller of the Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, said intelligence-led operations and sustained surveillance resulted in the seizures.

n

He said Customs officers intercepted 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, after subjecting a consignment to thorough examination.

n

Kaila said the products were deteriorating and some visibly decomposing, with intelligence indicating plans by smugglers to repackage and relabel them for the Nigerian market.

n

“Had this shipment succeeded, countless families would have been exposed to serious health hazards ranging from food poisoning and gastrointestinal diseases to other life-threatening medical complications,” he said.

n

The command also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, allegedly smuggled through illegal routes.

n

On narcotics, Kaila disclosed the seizure of 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.

n

“These are not ordinary commodities; they are dangerous products capable of destroying lives, fuelling criminality, encouraging substance abuse and undermining the future of our young people,” he said.

n

He further disclosed the interception of 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, which he said could facilitate terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

n

The explosives were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and investigation.

n

Other seizures included vehicles and watercraft with a combined Duty Paid Value of N365.1 million.

n

Meanwhile, the command generated N19.8 billion between January and July 2026, up from N15.9 billion in 2025, representing a 24.45 per cent increase.

n n