The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted prohibited goods with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦365.16 million, including 1,306 sacks of expired and decomposing noodles, as well as 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed this on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during a press briefing at the Command, saying the seizures were recorded through sustained enforcement and intelligence-driven operations.
Kaila said the expired noodles were intercepted in a truck that had been deceptively declared as carrying food items. Upon examination, officers discovered 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, with some of the products already deteriorated and visibly decomposing.
“Upon examination, we uncovered 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, each weighing 50 kilograms. What was discovered was deeply disturbing because many of the products had already deteriorated and were visibly decomposing,” he said.
Other prohibited items seized by the Command include 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.
Kaila also disclosed that officers intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials, which were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.
He said the seizures reflected the Command’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders, protecting public health and preventing prohibited items from gaining entry into the country.
On revenue generation, Kaila said the Command remitted ₦19,840,280,788.50 into government coffers, representing an increase from the ₦15,941,258,676.01 recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
He attributed the improved revenue performance to sustained enforcement activities and intelligence-led operations, while stressing the need for continued collaboration among border security and regulatory agencies.
In line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the intercepted consignments were handed over to relevant sister agencies for appropriate action.
Receiving the consignments on behalf of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the agency’s Deputy Director and Coordinator described the seizure as evidence of effective inter-agency collaboration.
“This is a clear demonstration of a working synergy from top to bottom and it will continue to keep this country safe from all social vices,” he said.
