The Nigeria Customs Service’s Seme Command has intercepted five trailer loads of expired flour from Egypt, valued at ₦1.2 billion. Comptroller Wale Adenuga, Controller of the Seme Area Command, announced at a news conference that the trucks contained 10,000 bags of flour that expired in March 2024. The interception was made possible through intelligence shared by Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and assistance from the Nigerian Navy in Abuja. The expired flour poses significant health risks, including severe infections and food poisoning, and undermines local industries and consumer trust.
In addition to the flour, the command seized 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 generated ₦1.5 billion in revenue in September, a substantial increase from the ₦531.4 million collected in August. Adenuga attributed this performance to the Comptroller General’s reform agenda, which emphasizes compliance, transparency, and data‑driven monitoring of goods. He also praised the dedication of officers and men who embody the vision of a modern, efficient, and accountable customs service.
The Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Navy, were commended for their support in combating smuggling along the Seme corridor. The seizure of expired flour and other contraband highlights the crucial role of customs enforcement in protecting public health and promoting legitimate trade. The 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 Seme Command intensifies its anti‑smuggling operations, further significant seizures are expected, reinforcing the importance of robust customs enforcement in Nigeria.
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