Any Customs Officer that Compromises with Arms, Ammunition, Fake Drugs Imports is Satanic – Oramalugo

Any Customs Officer that Compromises with Arm, Ammunition, Fake Drugs Imports is Satanic – Oramalugo

… Showcases Seizures worth N669.7M DPV

“Any Customs Officer that Compromises with Arm, Ammunition, Fake Drugs Imports is Satanic. They will be judged. It is morally imperative to deal with the influx of these nefarious items”.

Comptroller (Dr.) Ben Oramalugo Handing over Cannabis Sativa to NDLEA yesterday

These were the exact words of a very furious Comptroller (Dr.) Ben Oramalugo PhD, FCIA, FNIM, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), against attitude of economic saboteurs, and unscrupulous elements that aid illegal importation of arm, ammunition and fake drugs, during the last press briefing where he recently showcased the performance feat of the command under his watch.

The visibly angry Comptroller on the attitude of unscrupulous elements who often engage in the nefarious act of bringing in such Arm, Ammunition and fake drugs which have been instrumental to many deaths in the country, said he will at all times want to be remembered for seizure of Arm, Ammunition and illicit drugs.

Dr. Oramalugo addressing the media and invited guest at the briefing

He has also been consistent in speaking against the deliberate importation of these uncustomed goods by nefarious elements for selfish gains to the detriment of Nigerians and have equally been doing all within his powers to nip them in the bud.

Furthermore, he said that the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR has mandated officers and men of the service to detect by all means any of such import at their respective stations, as he noted that under his watch as Seme, he will put all available humanly possible measures and mechanism in place to ensure that Seme corridors will not be part of their illicit route.

The Seized illicit Medicament being handed over to NAFDAC yesterday

Oramalugo who decried the recent United Nation’s report which stated that about five (5) million missing small arms and ammunition in the global stage are domiciled in Nigeria, however urged all to brace up for the task of nipping in the bud this illicit influx of arms, ammunition trend, and ensured that Nigeria is rejected as a safe haven for criminally minded individuals.

In showcasing the anti-smuggling/enforcement feat of the command between March 13 and May 13, 2025, the elated Comptroller (Dr.) Ben Oramalugo PhD, FCIA FNIM, disclosed that the command has upped their enforcement ante through vibrant intelligence profiling to tackle activities of smugglers and economic saboteurs.

The seized Assorted Coins

The CAC who recalled the command’s reaffirmation and commitment to intensifying the fight against smuggling during the last press briefing engagement, also reported that their efforts have continued to yield commendable results, as the command recorded several offensive seizures with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Six Hundred and Sixty Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty Six Naira (₦669,785,236.00k) only between March 13 to May 13, 2025.

In the breakdown of the seizure, the CAC revealed that, 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.

In a similar manner, it was disclosed that 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 put at Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty One Naira (₦8,975,281.00k) only. The CAC said, “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”.

Also, in a related seizure 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 of the Holy Qur’an. One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.

However, other notable seizures during the period include: Five Hundred and Fifty Three (553) parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), One Thousand Four Hundred and Fifteen (1,415) bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), Seven Hundred and Fifty (750) kegs of PMS (30kg each), Thirty (30) cartons of Tobacco, Fifty (50) cartons of Ketchup Tomato, One (1) boat and engine, Fifty (50) bales of second-hand clothing, Five (5) Vehicles and also Unregistered pharmaceuticals, including Four Hundred and Twenty (420) bottles of CA-C100 Vitamin C and Haldol injection (5ml).

Meanwhile, Comptroller Oramalugo, in line with the service commitment to inter-agency collaboration, handed over the seized Cannabis Sativa and Cannasive of Corrosive Mercury suspected to be IEDs and unregistered pharmaceuticals to the relevant agencies for discreet investigative action and possible prosecution, noting that this also highlights our readiness to work with sister agencies in safeguarding national security.

The CAC however used the 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. He noted that these scammers often operate via social media and other informal platforms.

The Command dissociates itself from any such illegal activity, he said.

“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”, he noted.

Comptroller Ben Oramalugo in conclusion commended the gallant officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their steadfastness, professionalism, and integrity, as well as the command’s stakeholders and partners, including the media, for continued support and collaboration.

According to him, “We remain fully committed to our mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and suppression.