The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, showcasing the expired 10,000 bags flours to media and stakeholders at Seme in on Thursday
Seme Customs tightens border clutch, intercepts 10,000 bags of expired flour from Egypt
By Umar Raji
Oct. 9, 2025 (Flowerbudnews)The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pound another major blow against smugglers, seizing 10,000 bags of expired flour and several other prohibited items
in a recent operation that underscores the agency’s renewed determination to protect Nigeria’s borders.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, disclosed the development on Thursday while showcasing the seized items before the media at the command premises.
Adenuga mentioned said the seizures, valued at over ₦1 billion, was the outcome of weeks of intensive surveillance and coordinated enforcement along the Seme axis.
He noted that officers of the command intercepted not only the expired flour but also a variety of other contraband, including smuggled vehicles, bags of foreign parboiled rice, drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), bales of used clothing, and consignments of cannabis sativa.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga handing over the intercepted cannabis sativa to the official of the the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday
He explained that the expired flour, which had been carefully concealed in trucks and warehouses, posed a significant risk to the public health had it entered the Nigerian market.
Adenuga reiterated the command commitment by not allowing expired or substandard goods to find their way into the country and endanger Nigeria citizens.
He explained that the seizure aligns with the Service’s broader mission of curbing smuggling activities that undermine national economic growth and public safety.
The command boss emphasized that the fight against economic sabotage remained a top priority for the Nigeria Customs Service.
He said that smuggling was an act of sabotage against the nation’s economy, warned that those who continue to indulge in the illicit trade will face the full weight of the law.
“Smuggling is not only a crime; it is an assault on our economy and on legitimate businesses that pay taxes and abide by the law.
“I most commend the support and synergy among various security agencies. I also appreciate the inter-agency cooperation which led to the success of the operation.
“The collaboration between the Customs Service, the Nigerian Navy, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) played a vital role in tracking, intercepting, and confiscating the illegal consignments.
“Seme command generates ₦1.5 billion in revenue for the month of September 2025, reflecting both the improved compliance level of traders and the command’s intensified vigilance at the border,”Adenuga said.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga displaced a bag from the 10,000 expired bags intercepted by the command to alert the public
He noted that the Seme Border, which served as a major gateway between Nigeria and Benin Republic, has been a hotspot for smugglers attempting to move goods illegally in and out of the country.
Adenuga confessed that the renewed enforcement strategy introduced by the command had successfully disrupted several smuggling networks while assuring to intensify on the strategy.
The Seme boss assured the public of the service continuous commitment in strengthening border surveillance using intelligence gathering, technology, and community partnerships.
“The public support remains essential in exposing and discouraging smuggling operations.
“Members of the public must understand that smuggling affects everyone, it denies the government needed revenue, kills local industries, and sometimes puts dangerous goods into circulation.
“On this note I will commend the efforts of all the officers and men of the command for their resilience and professionalism, despite the risks and challenges that come with border enforcement.
“The success we record daily is an evidence to the hard work and patriotism of our officers,” he said.
Adenuga reaffirmed the command commitment to the Nigeria Customs Service’s mission of facilitating legitimate trade while tackling economic crimes that threaten the nation’s economy.
The flowerbudnews reports that the seized items, now in customs custody, were expected to be processed according to existing regulations.
The customs authorities says that the expired flour and other hazardous goods would be properly destroyed in line with environmental safety standards.
The maritime stakeholders port users had commended the Customs Service for its vigilance, while pleading with customs to continued prioritizing the national security and consumer protection.
