SEME AREA COMMAND REFUTES MISLEADING ONLINE REPORT ON BORDER OPERATIONS

By Okey Iroegbu 

The mischief makers are on it again peddling unfounded information on the famous Nigerian land border. According to report reaching this media through the command's Public Relations Officer, CSC Isah Sulaiman there is a misleading publication circulating online, making unfounded claims about the conduct of officers along the Seme corridor. The Command according to the report disassociates itself from the said report and further urged the public to disregard it as faults. It could be noted that there was an altercation recently when one of the command's officers along Seme Badagry Road had some frictions in the course of their duty with one Mr. Yakubu Sulaimon. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, November 13, 2025, had initially sparked fury and demands for justice after the Customs officer was accused of physically assaulting him. But this issue was swiftly resolved by the command's leadership which found out also that it was a case of mistaken identity and inter-agency accountability. According to a report from one correspondence from another on this issue, "Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Border Command, has demonstrated a firm commitment to accountability by taking decisive and surprising action following an alleged assault on a Badagry resident." It could be observed that since the assumption of office by the Customs Area Controller, of Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the command has been significantly strengthened through enhanced collaboration with the Nigerian Military and other sister security agencies. The reactivation of the Joint Border Security Meeting (JBSM) has further reinforced joint operations aimed at curbing smuggling. It is on this note that the public is seriously advised not to be misled by any false information by the distracters who will go to any extent to create confusion to enable them carry out their nefarious activities moreso during this yuletide. "As enforcement intensifies during the yuletide season, the Command is aware that individuals whose illegal activities have been disrupted may resort to misinformation and sensational reporting. While these attempts are unsurprising, they will not distract the Command from carrying out its lawful duties," the report said. It is on record that the command has performed brilliantly since the assumption of duty of the CAC. From 9 September 2025 to date, "the

Command recorded the seizure of over 4,000 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to approximately seven trailer loads), Five trailer loads of expired flour, endangered species (Lion Cub and Patas Monkeys) over 2000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa (marjuana), among other seizures. These results reflect the renewed operational drive to protect Nigeria’s economic interests. "Under the leadership of Comptroller Adenuga, the revenue of the Command has improved significantly, rising from average of 500 and 600 million Naira monthly revenue collection to over ₦1.5 billion in September and exceeding ₦2.5 billion in October; an increase of more than 300%. This growth is attributed to blocked leakages, strengthened enforcement, and enhanced facilitation of legitimate trade," it further said. Finally, the command reassured the critical stakeholders of the commitment of the officers to professionalism, transparency and zero tolerance for corruption or misconduct. "With the continuous support of the Comptroller-General of Customs and the Management Team, the Command will sustain its efforts in safeguarding national security, enforcing compliance and facilitating lawful trade through the Lagos-Abidjan corridor," the report reads on behalf of the Customs Area Controller.