The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Command, has intercepted five trailer loads of expired flour from Egypt, valued at ₦1.2 billion. Comptroller Wale Adenuga, Controller of Seme Area Command, disclosed this at a news conference, stating that the trucks contained 10,000 bags of flour that expired in March 2024.
According to Adenuga, the interception was made possible through intelligence shared by the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, with assistance from the Nigerian Navy in Abuja. The expired flour poses significant health risks, including severe infections and food poisoning, and also undermines local industries and consumer trust.
In addition to the expired flour, the command seized other items, including 1,104 parcels of cannabis sativa, 120 packs of tramadol, and 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice. The total Duty Paid Value of all seized items stands at ₦1.99 billion. Two suspects were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation.
The Seme Command also generated ₦1.5 billion in revenue in September, a significant increase from ₦531.4 million collected in August. Adenuga attributed the outstanding performance to the effectiveness of the Comptroller General’s reform agenda, which focuses on compliance, transparency, and data-driven monitoring of goods.
The command’s success is also credited to the dedication of its officers and men, who have embodied the vision of a modern, efficient, and accountable customs service. The Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Navy, have been commended for their support in the fight against smuggling in the Seme corridor.
The interception of the expired flour and other seized items highlights the importance of customs enforcement in protecting public health and promoting legitimate trade. The Seme Command’s efforts to simplify procedures, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and ensure transparency have contributed to its success in revenue generation and trade facilitation. As the command continues to intensify its efforts against smuggling, it is likely that more significant seizures will be made, further reinforcing the importance of customs enforcement in Nigeria.