Change Of Baton At Seme Border
It was an emotion filled event at the Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 when the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Abdullahi Kaila handed over to the newly deployed Customs Area Controller Olise Alumanah, who promised to hit the ground running with an eye on trade facilitation, revenue generation, while ensuring officers’ discipline and professionalism, just as the command intercepts live Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle
By Edu Abade
As is common with public service, management of the Nigeria Customs Service elevated former Customs Area Controller at the Seme Border Command, Abdullahi Kaila to Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs [ACG] and deployed Deputy Controller ON Alumanah as his replacement.
In his valedictory speech, Kaila said his service at Seme Area Command culminated in his elevation to the rank of ACG and his appointment as a member of the Management of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“This is a new chapter in my career and an opportunity to contribute to the advancement of our Service at a higher level of responsibility. At the same time, I cannot conceal the emotions that come with leaving behind a family of dedicated officers, sister agencies, traditional institutions, business operators and community stakeholders with whom I have shared challenges, responsibilities, aspirations and achievements. The relationships we have built and the memories we have created will remain an important part of my professional experience,” he said.
Kaila, who assumed duty on March 18, 2026, commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his confidence in me and for the opportunity to serve the Nigeria Customs Service in this higher capacity, adding that his leadership, encouragement and commitment to repositioning the Service have continued to provide direction for officers entrusted with responsibilities across the country.
“Our achievements were not the product of one individual’s effort. They were the outcome of collective determination, effective coordination, intelligence-driven operations and a shared understanding that the success of the Command was more important than individual recognition. We worked as a family, united by patriotism, selflessness and the desire to protect the economic and security interests of Nigeria,” he stated.
Reflecting on his revenue performance, which he described as a record of collective commitment, he said one of the major responsibilities entrusted to us was the generation of revenue for the Federal Government, noting that he was pleased that within the period under review, the command recorded a remarkable improvement in its revenue performance.
“Between March and October 2026, Seme Area Command generated over ₦27 billion in revenue, compared with approximately ₦8 billion collected during the corresponding period in 2025. This represents an increase of about ₦19 billion, equivalent to an impressive growth of approximately 233 percent
“This achievement is significant, not merely because of the figures involved, but because of what they represent: improved compliance, stronger operational coordination, effective monitoring of trade activities, enhanced enforcement of Customs regulations and the dedication of officers to ensuring that all legitimate revenue due to the Federal Government is collected,” he said.
On enforcement and the fight against smuggling, he said the Command under his watch remained conscious of its responsibility to protect the Nigerian economy from the activities of smugglers, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements operating across our borders.
“Our mandate was clear: to generate revenue, suppress smuggling and facilitate legitimate trade. We pursued these responsibilities with determination, professionalism and a strong sense of national duty. During my tenure, the Command recorded significant seizures of illicit drugs and prohibited goods.
“These interceptions prevented dangerous, unlawful and unwholesome products from gaining entry into the country and potentially threatening public health, national security and the economic well-being of our citizens.
“These successes were made possible through deliberate intelligence gathering, proper processing and timely sharing of actionable information. We understood that effective border enforcement does not begin only when prohibited goods are intercepted; it begins with the ability to identify threats, analyse information, anticipate criminal movements and prevent unlawful activities before they materialise.”
In his inaugural address, Alumanah maintained that revenue generation remains one of the critical mandates of the NCS and that the Seme Command must make its contributions towards achieving and surpassing its assigned revenue targets.
His words, “Revenue collection and trade facilitation must complement each other. Our responsibility is not to frustrate legitimate businesses but to ensure that lawful trade is conducted efficiently, transparently and in accordance with the law. I expect officers to be professional, courteous and responsive in their dealings with traders, agents and other stakeholders.
“Unnecessary delays, intimidation, arbitrary demands and deliberate obstruction of legitimate trade will not be tolerated. We must understand that our role is not simply to collect revenue and enforce compliance but also to facilitate economic activities and contribute to national prosperity. Our objective must be enforcement without unnecessary obstruction and trade facilitation without compromising national security or revenue.
“Discipline is the foundation of every successful organisation, and this Command will not be an exception. I expect every officer to respect the chain of command, observe established procedures, maintain punctuality and demonstrate professionalism in the discharge of assigned responsibilities. “There will be no tolerance for indiscipline, insubordination, extortion, abuse of office, unauthorised absence or any conduct capable of bringing the Service into disrepute. Let it be clearly understood that nobody is above the rules. Rank, position, personal relationship or length of service will not exempt anyone from accountability. At the same time, I will ensure fairness, respect and equal treatment for all officers.”
Alumanah, who pointed out that the NCS was undergoing significant transformation, stressed that Seme Area Command will not be left behind, adding, “We must be prepared to embrace modernisation, technological innovation and evolving international best practices in Customs administration. I, therefore, expect every officer to demonstrate a positive attitude and willingness to adapt to new systems, technologies, operational procedures and innovative approaches to service delivery.
“The era of resisting change or holding on to outdated practices must give way to continuous learning, improved efficiency and professionalism. We must maximise the use of available technology in revenue collection, cargo examination, intelligence gathering, risk management, enforcement and trade facilitation. Officers must also be willing to acquire new skills, improve their professional competence and remain abreast of developments in modern Customs administration.”
Meanwhile, while reaffirming its commitment to combating wildlife trafficking, the Seme Area Command Thursday, November 12, 2026 intercepted live Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle, during a routine patrol by officers along a footpath linking Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
A statement made available to journalists by Public Relations Officer, JT Ayagbalo, a Superintendent of Customs indicated that the officers sighted a suspicious individual carrying a sack who, upon noticing the patrol team, abandoned it and fled into a nearby bush, evading arrest despite efforts to apprehend him.
“Upon examining the abandoned sack, officers discovered one live Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle, also known as the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), concealed inside. The animal was immediately secured and kept in safe custody before being handed over to the relevant wildlife authorities for proper care, rehabilitation and eventual release into its natural habitat, in line with established conservation practices,” the statement reads.
Speaking on the interception, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Norman Olisah Alumanah, described the operation as a demonstration of the vigilance, discipline and professionalism of officers, stressing that the Service would not allow the nation’s borders to become corridors for wildlife trafficking.
“Wildlife trafficking remains one of the most lucrative forms of transnational organised crime globally, threatening biodiversity, destroying ecosystems, fueling corruption and undermining national security and sustainable development.
“Sea turtles, particularly the Olive Ridley species, face threats from illegal exploitation and trafficking for their meat, eggs, shells, traditional medicine and the exotic pet trade. These activities pose serious threats to their survival. The Nigeria Customs Service recognises wildlife trafficking as a serious environmental crime with far-reaching consequences for present and future generations,” the statement added.
