Nigeria Customs Service Seizes Five Trucks of Smuggled Rice at Seme Border in Major Crackdown

Moving against illegal smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Seme Border Command has intercepted five trucks laden with a variety of illicit goods, including a staggering 2,800 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 250 bales of used clothing.

Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, the Customs Area Controller, announced this breakthrough during a press briefing held at the border on Thursday. He explained that the seizures, which occurred between July 1 and July 19, 2025, resulted from meticulous intelligence-led operations along the key Lagos-Abidjan corridor, showcasing the effectiveness of coordinated security efforts.

“The duty paid value (DPV) of the seized rice and vehicles amounts to roughly N919.5 million,” Oramalugo revealed.

Beyond the rice and clothing, the operation also uncovered 898 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (marijuana), an additional 1,319 bags of smuggled rice, plus quantities of sugar, flour, tomato ketchup, a boat with its engine, second-hand clothing, and used shoes. The total value of all seizures within this period stands at an impressive N1.26 billion.

Oramalugo credited the success to the unwavering dedication of his team, enhanced by collaboration with other security agencies, notably the Nigerian military, which played a vital role in maintaining vigilance along Nigeria’s borders.

Highlighting the importance of the rice seizures, the Comptroller reiterated Nigeria’s strategic push to ban rice imports through land borders—an initiative aimed at bolstering local farmers and millers. Nigeria, already Africa’s top rice producer with an output exceeding 8 million metric tonnes annually, continues to grapple with challenges caused by the influx of cheaper foreign rice, which undermines local industry.

On the export front, Oramalugo shared encouraging figures: between May and July 2025, the command facilitated the movement of 1,837 trucks carrying over 116,723 metric tonnes of made-in-Nigeria goods. These exports, valued at approximately N22.3 billion FOB, generated more than N111.8 million in fees for the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS). Additionally, the command contributed a substantial N1.59 billion to national revenue through legitimate trade activities within the same period.

In light of the cannabis seizures, the Nigeria Customs Service promptly handed over the 898 parcels of marijuana to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Addressing the collaboration, NDLEA Commander Idris Muhammed expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership, reaffirming their commitment to investigate the case thoroughly and prosecute all those involved, per the law.

This crackdown highlights Nigeria’s firm resolve to curb smuggling, protect its economy, and promote genuine trade that benefits local farmers, manufacturers, and citizens alike.

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