Customs Seize Explosive Materials, Expired Noodles and Drugs at Seme Border

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials allegedly being smuggled into Nigeria from Ghana, along with large quantities of expired noodles, foreign rice, illicit drugs and other prohibited items.

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

According to Kaila, the explosive materials were intercepted following intelligence-led surveillance. He warned that such materials could be used to facilitate terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.

The seized explosives, together with one suspect, were handed over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force for safe custody and further investigation.

Customs officers also intercepted 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes. The products were allegedly being transported under the guise of food items and were reportedly intended to be repackaged and relabelled for sale to unsuspecting Nigerian consumers.

Kaila said many of the noodles had already deteriorated and were visibly decomposing, warning that their distribution could have exposed consumers to serious health risks.

Other seizures included 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, which Customs said were smuggled into Nigeria through illegal routes.

The command also intercepted 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of cigarettes.

The illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products are expected to 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 necessary 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.

The total Duty Paid Value of the seized items was put at N365.16 million.

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

Kaila attributed the increase to improved compliance, stronger engagement with stakeholders, greater operational efficiency and intensified efforts against smuggling.

He warned smugglers and economic saboteurs that Customs had strengthened intelligence-driven operations along the border and would continue working with other security agencies to combat illegal activities.

«“Seme is no longer a safe corridor for economic sabotage,” Kaila said.»

The command also reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating legitimate trade and supporting regional commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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