Seme Customs Intercepts Expired Noodles, Explosives

 

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has intercepted 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles allegedly being smuggled into Nigeria for repackaging and distribution to unsuspecting consumers.

The sacks, weighing 50 kilogrammes each, were intercepted following credible intelligence and sustained surveillance by officers of the Command. According to the Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, the truck carrying the consignment was deceptively declared as conveying food items before it was subjected to thorough examination.

Kaila, who disclosed this at a press briefing at the Seme Border, Badagry, Lagos State, said the products had deteriorated and were visibly decomposing when discovered. He said intelligence available to the Command indicated that the expired noodles were intended to be repackaged and relabelled before being introduced into the Nigerian market.

The Customs Area Controller said the interception potentially saved millions of Nigerians from serious health hazards, including food poisoning, gastrointestinal diseases and other complications that could have resulted from the consumption of the products. He described border security as an important component of public health protection.

In separate enforcement operations across flashpoints within the Command's area of responsibility, Customs officers also intercepted 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, with each bag weighing 50 kilogrammes. The Command said the rice was smuggled through illegal routes, thereby denying government legitimate revenue and undermining policies aimed at encouraging local rice production.

The Command further disclosed the seizure of 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes. The items, according to the Customs, constitute dangerous products capable of fuelling substance abuse and other forms of criminality.

Also intercepted were 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials allegedly being illegally conveyed through the border corridor. Kaila said the explosives could have devastating consequences if they fell into the hands of criminal elements, adding that the items had been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safe custody and further investigation.

The Command said the total Duty Paid Value of the seized items stood at ₦365.16 million, while its revenue collection rose significantly to ₦19.84 billion between January and July 2026. According to Kaila, the seven-month figure surpassed the ₦15.94 billion collected during the whole of 2025 by ₦3.899 billion, representing a 24.45 percent increase.