The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted a truckload of expired noodles and other contraband, including foreign rice, illicit drugs, cigarettes and 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials. The Customs Area Controller, Abdullahi Kaila, said the seizures followed intelligence-led operations aimed at preventing dangerous and prohibited goods from entering Nigeria.
Kaila said officers intercepted a truck carrying 1,306 sacks of expired noodles, weighing 50kg each, allegedly intended for repackaging and sale to unsuspecting consumers. He said the command also seized 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 373 parcels of cannabis sativa, tramadol and tapentadol, as well as 310,000 sticks of cigarettes.
Of particular concern were the 3,300 cartridges of explosives allegedly being illegally conveyed through the border corridor. Kaila said the materials had been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and investigation.
Other seizures included a used speed boat, water bike and three used vehicles. The total Duty Paid Value of the items displayed was put at ₦365.16 million.
Kaila said the command generated ₦19.84 billion between January and July 2026, surpassing its entire 2025 revenue collection of about ₦15.94 billion. He warned smugglers that the Seme corridor would not provide a safe route for economic sabotage and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to border security and legitimate trade.
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