One Month, So Much
Super Adenuga Hit the Ground Running, Showcases 182% Revenue Increase, N2Bn Seizure One Month in Office at Seme Customs
Comptroller Wale Adenuga, CAC, Seme Border Command, NCS
It was indeed One month of superlative and unprecedented performance for Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) which seems to announce the arrival of the brand new Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Wale Adenuga who was deployed about a month ago to administer leadership at the command.
His arrival tends to have brought new dimension to the leadership chain at the command, as his operational reorganisation has further boosted all round performance in every department as its mandates dictate.
The demonstration of Comptroller Adenuga leadership prowess in just One Month of taking charge affairs at Seme Command in his earlier resolve to modernize operational activities at the foremost and most busiest land border trade corridor in West African sub-region into a model of legitimate trade, regional integration and security efficiency have undoubtedly convinced many industry watchers to expect a more efficient trade border corridor in time to come.
Adenuga Showcasing some seizures of Rice
His one month brilliance leadership has led to an uncommon performance in its mandates with an improved revenue collection trajectory which had translated to about 182percent increment from the previous collection, an improved anti-smuggling activities with a record seizures of various offensive contrabands worth over N2Billion, as well as advancing the course of trade facilitation.
In his maiden press briefing last Wednesday October 09,2025 at the COWA Complex of the command, to showcased his stewardship and share collective progress in the short but eventful period, the CAC explained that his various enforcement teams scattered across the Command’s jurisdiction achieved remarkable progress across boards under her mandates within the short undertaken period.
He also disclosed that they were all being inspired by the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and his management team through his massive support and encouragement. More so, Adenuga said his led command had, since he assumed duty as CAC in September 08, 2025, keyed into the CGC’ policy thrust of consolidation, collaboration and innovation with trade facilitation as the hallmark of his led management. He noted that, when trade is facilitated, processes are streamlined, costs are reduced, and more revenue facilitated.
Explaining further, he said being guided by the CGC’s commitment to transparency and modernisation, Seme Command under his watch has intensified efforts to simplify procedures, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and ensured that only legitimate traders enjoy the full benefits of Customs modernisation and regional integration schemes along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
In the breakdown recorded performance, Comptroller Adenuga disclosed that the command under his watch generated a total revenue of One Billion, Five Hundred Million, Twenty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Three Naira and Eighty-Eight Kobo (N1,500,029,233.88k) in September 2025. This according to him represent an exceptional increase of over 182 percent when compared to the Five Hundred and Thirty-One Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty-Two Naira and Forty-Five Kobo (N531,462,332.45) only collectiin in the previous month of August, 2025.
He however added that the outstanding revenue performance is a reflective of the effectiveness of the CGC’s reform agenda built on compliance, transparency and data-driven monitoring of goods, but as well not leaving out the dedication of officers and men of the command, who continue to embody his vision of a modern, efficient and accountable Customs Service.
Similarly, the command also made a significant inroads in performance on the non-oil export trade facilitation which is in alignment with the Federal Government’s economic diversification thrust, and in direct compliance with the CGC’s directive to promote legitimate export trade. To this, the Command was able to facilitate export of Fifty-Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Nine Point Four Six Metric Tonnes (53,989.46) metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of Seven Billion, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety-Eight Naira and Seventy-Eight Kobo (N7,969,376,198.78) only.
Adenuga also said the command recorded a total Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fee stood at Thirty-Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira, Forty-Two Kobo (N39,868,354.42) only.
According to him,c the exports involved comprised of agricultural produce and manufactured goods, and they demonstrate the renewed confidence of exporters in the Seme Command as a viable trade hub under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).
Textile Seizure
In anti-smuggling, another core mandate of the command, the CAC noted that under the guidance of the CGC’s zero – tolerance stance on smuggling, Seme Command remains unwavering in its commitment to suppress smuggling and protect national security, public health and economic stability. He however said that during the period under review, our operatives through credible intelligence and strong inter-agency collaboration, made significant seizures notably worth a total of over Two (2) Billion Naira.
Breakdown of the seizures include: Five (5) trucks conveying a total of 10,000 bags of expired flour originating from Egypt, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Billion, Two Hundred and Ten Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,210,300,000.00) only, which was intercepted by officers of the command in a joint operation with NAFDAC.
PMS Seizure
He as well explained that the health risks associated with consuming such expired products could have led to severe infections, food poisoning, and long-term health complications.
“Beyond health implications, such unwholesome goods undermine local industries and erode consumer trust”, Adenuga said.
Another highpoint of seizures made by the command incluee One Thousand One Hundred and Four (1,104) parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) which he said was intercepted through actionable intelligence, noting that the social and psychological toll of such substances on our youth cannot be overstated.
Cannabis Sativa Seizure
Again, operatives of the command also recorded One Hundred and Twenty (120) packs of tramadol 120mg, along with Two (2) suspects which were handed over to the NDLEA, Seme Command on October 7th, 2025 for further investigation.
Other seized items as contained in the statement include: 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each); 150 bales of second-hand clothing;169 bottles of DSP Cough Syrup with Codeine; Five (5) used vehicles
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all seizures however stood at One Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Ninety-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-Nine Naira (N1,999,093,429.00) only.
Presentation of Handover Documents to NAFDAC, NDLEA
He also said that these results underscore the CGC’s operational philosophy that smuggling is an economic sabotage that robs the nation of vital revenue and endangers public welfare. “Our position is clear along the Lagos-Abidjan that any economic resource diverted into smuggling will be a colossal waste; it will be better to channel such resources into legitimate business that could empower thousands of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and create jobs”, Adenuga added.
In stakeholders engagement and inter agency partnership, the CAC said in alignment with the CGC’s emphasis on stakeholder collaboration, the Command convened two major stakeholders’ engagements from 6–7 October, 2025. He not d that the first meeting brought together Heads of Security Agencies, traditional rulers, and critical stakeholders along the Seme–Krake corridor, where far-reaching resolutions were reached to address multiple checkpoints, extortion and other trade impediments.
Adenuga Hands Over Cannabis Sativa to AC Rita of NDLEA
From the meeting, all agencies reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating unnecessary checkpoints and ensuring the seamless movement of legitimate goods and persons without compromising national security.
However, the second engagement involved their Benin Republic Customs counterparts, businessmen and licensed Customs agents from both sides of the border, noting that the collaborative forum was aimed to harmonize border operations and further strengthen the Lagos–Abidjan trade corridor, which reflected the CGC’s regional integration agenda.
In conclusion, the CAC appreciated Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR led and management team for their unwavering support, visionary leadership, and invaluable mentorship, as well as the Military, the NPF, DSS, NAFDAC, SON and other relevant security agencies for their continuous collaboration, and the Traditional Rulers and Community Leaders, not leaving out the good people of Badagry Local Government, for their remarkable cooperation and partnership.
Special appreciation of his also goes to the command’s esteemed stakeholders and the dedicated officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, noting that their commitment, diligence and excellence remain the driving force behind our collective success.
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