Seme Customs Arrest One In Connection With Foreign Coins Trafficking

…Seize Sativa Cannabis, IED, Others Worth

…Generates Over N847M In April

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command Wednesday announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with trafficking in foreign coins, with a combined equivalent of Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty One Naira (₦8,975,281.00k) only.

Compt. Oramalugo handingover the letter of seized items to representative of the NDLEA.

This is even the command recorded other high profile seizures including a vehicle conveying  items suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED), cannabis sativa, fuel, rice, and other sundry offensive items.

Compt. Oramalugo second from left, showcasing the seized items while his officers and other stakeholders look on, including Sulaiman Isah, the Command PRO, to his right hand side

Speaking with Pinnacle Time, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Ben Oramalugo PhD, said the command and its operatives will not lower its guard on the lookout for offensive imports capable of negatively impacting citizens and the system, and warned dubious elements with intents to cause injury to the health, economy and national psyche of the country.

Dr, Nurudeen Audu of NAFDAC receiving seized items from Compt Oramalugo relating to his agency

Explaining the developments, he said, “On 28th March 2025, at about 2000hrs, operatives of the Command on stop and search duty intercepted a motorcyclist suspected of conveying un-customs goods along 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:

“Forty-Nine (49) pieces of Two-Dollar coins, One Thousand and Forty Eight (1,048) pieces of One-Pound coins, One Hundred and Thirty (130) pieces of 25 Canadian cents, Two Hundred and Thirty Six (236) pieces of Fifty Pence, Six Hundred and Forty Five (645) pieces of Twenty Pence, Four Hundred and Twenty (420) pieces of Ten Pence, Three Hundred and Seventy (370) pieces of Five Pence.

“Similarly, on 1st April 2025, operatives intercepted a Mazda vehicle suspected of carrying smuggled items along the Badagry-Seme Expressway. After a thorough check, the vehicle was found to contain:Nine Hundred and Forty (940) pieces of One-Pound coins, Eighty (80) pieces of Two-Pound coins, Three Hundred and Thirty Eight (338) pieces of Fifty Penny, Five Hundred and Forty (540) pieces of Twenty Penny and Seven Hundred and Eighty Five (785) pieces of Five Penny.

“The total value of these seized foreign coins is Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty One Naira (₦8,975,281.00k) only. These items are classified under Item 18 of 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 9th May 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 (6) canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED), concealed beneath Five (5) cartons.”

The Seme customs boss also disclosed that the command netted a total revenue of Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven Million, Fifty-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Nine Naira, Thirty Kobo (₦847,058,879.30k) for the month of April 2025.

“I am pleased to announce that the Seme Area Command, through commitment and professionalism, generated Total revenue of Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven Million, Fifty-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Nine Naira, Thirty Kobo (₦847,058,879.30k) for the month of April 2025 alone. This achievement reflects our sustained efforts at ensuring that all revenue leakages are blocked, and every legitimate kobo due to the Federal Government is collected without compromise.”

He also said that the command processed over Eight Eight metric tonnes (88,036.15) of made-in-Nigeria goods goods within the period under review.

“In line with the Federal Government’s agenda on economic diversification through non-oil exports, the Command facilitated the movement of Two Thousand and Twenty Nine (2,029) trucks, equivalent to over Eight Eight metric tonnes (88,036.15) of made-in-Nigeria goods. These exports had a Free On Board (FOB) value of Sixteen Billion, Nine Hundred Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty One Naira and Ten Kobo (₦16,900,987,331.10k) only. While the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees stood at Eighty Four Million, Five Hundred and Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Six Naira and Sixty Six Kobo (₦84,504,936.66k) only.

“This underscores our role as a critical trade enabler and contributor to national economic growth through efficient border management and support to local manufacturers.”

While handing over some of the seized items to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), Comptroller Oramalugo appealed to Nigerians to embrace the culture of national values in whatever they do.

This is even as he warned Nigerians to be wary of unscrupulous elements faking reports of auction sales as he denied that the command is engaged in auction sales.

“Let me use this opportunity to alert the general public on 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. Please note that the Nigeria Customs Service does not sell or auction seized items via WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, or any unverified platforms. Only follow verified social media handles bearing the official blue tick or any communication directly from the Nigeria Customs Service.”

Commending his officers for their commitment to duty and national service, Oramalugo said: “I wish to commend the gallant officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their steadfastness, professionalism, and integrity. I also thank our stakeholders and partners, including the media, for your continued support and collaboration.

“We remain fully committed to our mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and suppression of smuggling. We shall not be deterred by mischief-makers or their propaganda. The Command will continue to work diligently in the interest of national economic development and security.

“Additionally, we appeal to parents and guardians residing in border communities to counsel their wards and youths to refrain from engaging in smuggling activities and to avoid being used as instruments to obstruct law enforcement officers in the discharge of their legitimate duties.”