Undeterred by the recent distraction caused by rumours of poisoned rice allegedly released into the Lagos and Ogun areas that purportedly claimed some lives of its consumers, the Seme Border Customs Area Command releases its performance profile from March 14, 2025 to May 13, 2025, generating N847 million in April alone with a commitment to further facilitate trade, sustain the fight against smuggling and boost national security
By Edu Abade
The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) seems to have successfully navigated the challenges posed by what detractors termed ‘killer rice’ that allegedly emanated from the command a couple of days ago.
Following the killer rice scourge, there was palpable tension in parts of Ogun and Lagos states amid rumours of the poisonous rice being distributed in the two states.
Some internet voice notes had alleged that a foreign trader invoked the spirit of Ogun deity on her two trucks of rice after the trucks were allegedly stolen and smuggled into the country.
It was alleged that the two stolen trucks of rice were smuggled into Nigeria from a neighboring country through the Idiroko and the Seme borders.
The female trader, according to the voice notes, contacted some Ogun worshipers in Ghana to lay curses on “anybody that buys or consumes” the alleged stolen rice.
Some Customs officers, an officer of the Nigerian Army and several others were rumoured to have died after buying and consuming the alleged cursed rice.
But in a statement on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Customs Commands in Lagos and Ogun had debunked the claims, maintaining that the said killer rice in circulation only existed in the imagination of the rumour mongers and urged the members of the public to ignore what it described as “fake news” being peddled by some disgruntled elements.
The Customs Command at Seme Border, Badagry punctured the rumour while insisting that there was no deadly rice in circulation in any part of the country.
Not deterred by the distraction, the Seme Command of the NCS vowed to continue to pursue its core mandates of revenue generation, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling operations.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo gave the assurance at a media briefing on the operational activities of the command from March 14, 2025 to May 13, 2025 at the Seme-Krake border on Wednesday, May 14.
Oramalugo, who presented details of the activities of the Command, explained that through commitment and professionalism, the Command generated ₦847 million for the month of April, adding that the achievement was a reflection of the command’s sustained efforts at ensuring that all revenue leakages were blocked, and every revenue due to the Federal Government was collected without compromise.
On export and trade facilitation, he said in line with the Federal Government’s agenda on economic diversification through non-oil exports, the Command facilitated the movement of 2,029 trucks of export goods, equivalent of over eight metric tons (88,036.15) of made-in-Nigeria goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of ₦16.9 billion, while the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees stood at ₦84.504 million.
“This underscores our role as a critical trade enabler and contributor to national economic growth through efficient border management and support to local manufacturers” the CAC said.
He also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intensifying the fight against smuggling, saying that the efforts of the men and officers have continued to yield commendable results.
“On March 28, 2025, operatives of the Command on stop and search duty intercepted a motorcyclist suspected of conveying un-customs goods along the Owode Road. Upon interception, the rider abandoned a Ghana-Must-Go bag and escaped.
“Upon examination, the bag was found to contain various foreign coins, namely: 49 pieces of two-dollar coins, 1,048 pieces of one-Pound coins, 130 pieces of 25 Canadian cents, 236 pieces of fifty Pence, 645 pieces of twenty Pence, 420 pieces of ten Pence and 370 pieces of Five Pence.
“Also, on April 1, 2025, operatives intercepted a Mazda vehicle suspected of carrying smuggled items along the Badagry-Seme Expressway. And after a thorough check, the vehicle was found to contain 940 pieces of One-Pound coins, 80 pieces of Two-Pound coins, 338 pieces of Fifty Penny, 540 pieces of Twenty Penny and 785 pieces of Five Penny,” he stated.
Comptroller Oramalugo further explained that the total value of the seized foreign coins amounted to ₦8.975 million, adding that the items were classified under item 18, Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff (CET), which prohibits the importation of Silver or Metal Alloy Coins not being legal tender in Nigeria.
“In a related development, on May 9, 2025, our operatives, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a red Toyota Avensis with registration number GGB 667 JL along the Badagry-Lagos expressway. The vehicle was found to be conveying six canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED), concealed beneath five cartons of the Holy Qur’an. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.
“Other notable seizures during the period include, 553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), 1,415 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 750 kegs of PMS (30kg each), 30 cartons of Tobacco, 50 cartons of Ketchup Tomato, one boat and engine, 50 bales of second-hand clothing, five vehicles and unregistered pharmaceutical products, including 420 bottles of CA-C100 Vitamin C and Haldol injection (5ml).
“The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seizures during the period under review amounted to ₦669.7 million,” he stated.
He said in line with its commitment to inter-agency collaboration, the Command would hand over the seized Cannabis Sativa and Canisters of the Corrosive Mercury suspected to be IEDs, while the unregistered pharmaceutical products will be sent to the relevant agencies for discreet investigative action and possible prosecution.
The Customs boss, who assured of his readiness to work with sister agencies in safeguarding national security, alerted members of the public to the activities of fraudsters who impersonate officers of the Seme Area Command, claiming to auction or sell vehicles. These scammers often operate via social media and other informal platforms. The Command dissociates itself from any such illegal activity.
He stressed that the Nigeria Customs Service does not sell or auction seized items via WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages or any unverified platforms and urged interested persons to only follow verified social media handles bearing the official blue tick or any communication directly from the Nigeria Customs Service.
