By Okey Iroegbu
Since Seme Border became a revenue generating command for the Nigeria Customs Service in 1992, the ECOWAS corridor has remained busy. At Seme border other agencies came on board not for revenue generation but preventive service. There is a proliferation of agencies identified with different colours of their uniforms. Mounting Road Blocks for different purposes. Among these agencies are the Police, Custom and
Immigration which are prominent at the border as a result of the policies of the nation. The police and Customs authorities have on paper in several occasion warned their men to keep off the road. At Mile 2/Seme road, the police has reiterated that the only units allowed on these roads are the Federal Highway Patrol and the Enhanced Nigeria/Benin Joint Border Patrol. For the Customs, the CGC has also on several occasion maintained that the only approved checkpoints on this route are the Gbaji and Agbara joint checkpoints. Unfortunately the continued springing up of additional checkpoints littered along the road forcing one to pounder if we have more than one inspector-General of Police and Customs Comptroller-General in Nigeria. A first time visitor at this corridor will feel the atmosphere of war at the rate of brigand prevalent at these extorting points. An average observer expects these officers to fight these rampant and preventable crimes on these roads, peddling in hard drugs, human trafficking for prostitution and child labour, stealing of vehicles, escaping of bandits, armed robberies, common criminals and hoodlums through the border, instead of the much concentration on the boots of vehicles for
perceived contraband items. Comptroller Wale Adenuga, Customs Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command on resumption of duty at this famous land border felt that it must be reformed now. On Monday 6th of October 2025 he summoned the critical stakeholders for a meeting where everybody was asked to open up on issues affecting the corridor more especially on multiple checkpoints between the border and Agbara. On the next day Tuesday 7th of October 2025, he held a Joint Border Management stakeholders’ engagement with officials of Benin Republic Customs, other security agencies and representatives of the business community from both countries. In a statement made public by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Isah Sulaiman, the report confirms that Comptroller
Adenuga while addressing the stakeholders said the Seme-Krake border which is strategic to trade in the West African sub region also plays a critical role in intra African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It could also be noted that the meeting was in pursuant of a mandate given by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, that all identified impediments to free flow of trade are eradicated in line with the extant laws and ECOWAS protocols of free movement of goods and persons. The CAC hinted that the border holds great economic potential that will be beneficial to citizens and traders from the Two countries that have historical, cultural and trade relationships dating from the pre-independence era of both West African countries. Quoting the resolutions as Listed on the report from the Command's PRO some of the quick takes from the meeting are as follows; "Comptroller Adenuga highlighted that any officer or non government official caught frustrating free movement of persons and goods that have met all formal conditions shall be arrested and prosecuted. He urged all travelers and traders to bring their complainants to him directly or call the PRO for
immediate and prompt action. "He also disclosed that truck examination shall be conducted at the designated examination bay to streamline the process of importation into Nigeria from the neighbouring country. "The meeting, which was the second in a series of strategic engagements under the new controller, was attended by representative of the Chargè d'affaires of the Nigeria Embassy to Benin republic, top security chiefs, business men and women from both countries, also promised to look into issues like timely removal of truck trackers for quicker movement, reduce unnecessary checkpoints, prevent corruption and continually promote dialogue as a means to effective trade. "On space management at the border environment, Comptroller Adenuga said the border is a transit area and should not be made a parking zone or storage point to avoid congestion. Reacting to this laudable plan, The Head of Benin Customs at the Krake border, Lt. Col Arnaud Midgrokan, who is also the Co-Chair of the Joint Border Post, appreciated Comptroller Adenuga for the meeting and expressed optimism that the engagement will open avenues to solutions for all identified challenges.
Meanwhile the week could be adjudged as a qualified success for the 'Servant leader' Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Adenuga rounded the week on Thursday 9th, October 2025 with a press briefing to showcase wonderful exploits from his officers on anti smuggling. It could be realized that in just one month of taking charge at the Area Command, Comptroller Adenuga has proved that he is a veteran on the area command where there is no apian way he is not aware of. Addressing
journalists on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the COWA Secretariat, Seme Border, the CAC recounted how his officers inspired by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR had achieved remarkable progress across revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and trade facilitation within a short time. “When trade is facilitated, processes are streamlined, costs are reduced, and more revenue is generated,” he said and the results have been striking as the Area Command generated ₦1.5 billion in September 2025, a massive leap from ₦531 million recorded in August, which is a 182% increase in just one month. Between September 1 and October 9, 2025, the Seme Command intercepted expired flour, hard drugs, foreign rice, and other contraband worth a staggering ₦1.99 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV).10,000 bags of expired flour from Egypt, valued at ₦1.21 billion, intercepted in a joint operation with NAFDAC. 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) and 120 packs of Tramadol 120mg, with two suspects handed over to the NDLEA. 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 150 bales of second-hand clothes, 169 bottles of codeine cough syrup, and five used vehicles. The Comptroller stated that the seizure aligns with the Service’s broader mission of curbing smuggling activities that undermine national economic growth and public safety. He emphasized that the fight against economic sabotage remains a top priority for the Nigeria
Customs Service. Comptroller Adenuga, who described smuggling as an act of sabotage against the nation’s economy, warned that those who continue to indulge in the illicit trade will face the full weight of the law. He further commended the synergy among various security agencies, crediting inter-agency cooperation for the success of the operation. According to him, the collaboration between the Customs Service, the Nigerian Navy, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) played a vital role in tracking, intercepting, and confiscating the illegal consignments. The command, he revealed, generated ₦1.5 billion in revenue for the month of September 2025, reflecting both the improved compliance level of traders and the command’s intensified vigilance at the border. Receiving the seized expired flour, the Officer in Charge of NAFDAC, Dr. Nurudeen Usman narrated on the synergy between the two agencies and how they have been operating. He confirmed that even on seized rice and other edibles that could be redistributed to the public as a means of avoiding waste, NAFDAC is invited to carry out laboratory taste to confirm if they are safe for consumption. Also receiving seized narcotics, Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Seme Special Area, Ajoku Rita Chinyere, praised the Customs Command for its vigilance and partnership in curbing drug smuggling. She disclosed that a series of inter-agency meetings were ongoing to strengthen border management and eliminate illegal trade. “If you do legitimate business, nobody goes after you, but when you bring expired goods or drugs, the law will not be gentle with you,” she said. The media men further went tours of the command with emphasis on the bonded terminal which is doing a great work to resuscitate the command on trade facilitations.
