Comptroller Oramalugo Speaks Tough to Smugglers, Generates #847 Million in 1 Month.

By Joe Njoku,
Global Freight News.

The Customs Area Controller, Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo PhD has warned those involved in illegal smuggling activities to desist from the act inoder to avoid prosecution.

Also, the command collected a total sum of #847, 058,879.30 in the month of April, 2025. The amount collected reflects the command’s sustained efforts at ensuring that all revenue leakages are blocked.

The Command’s eagle eye operatives intercepted an improvised explosive device concealed beneath five cartons of the Holy Qu’ran.

Briefing newsman at Seme, on Wednesday, Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo PhD said that on the 9th of May 2025, the command operatives acting on credible intelligence seized a Toyota Avensis, registration number GGE 667 JN along the Lagos-Badagry expressway conveying 6 canisters of corrosive mercury suspected to be improvised explosive device concealed beneath five cartons of Holy Qu’ran. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizures.

According to Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo PhD said that between March 13th to May 13th, 2025, the command’s operatives on stop and search duty intercepted a motorcyclist suspected to be conveying some prohibited goods along the Owode road. Upon interception, the rider abandoned a Ghana must go bag and escaped. However, the bag was found to contain various foreign coins which include, 49 pieces of Two Dollar Coin, 2,048 pieces of One Pound Coins, 130 pieces of 25 Canadian cent, 236 pieces of Fifty pence, 645 pieces of Twenty pence, 420 pieces of Ten Pence and 370 pieces of Five pence.

Similarly, on 1st April 2025, operatives of the command intercepted a Mazda vehicle along Lagos-Badagry suspected to be carrying smuggled goods. The vehicle was found to contain various foreign coins which include; 940 pieces of One Pound Coins, 80 pieces of Two Pound Coins 338 pieces of Fifty pence, 540 pieces of Twenty pence and 785 pieces of Five pence. Total value of the seized coins was put at #8,975,281.00. The items are classified under item 18 of Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff (CET), which prohibits the importation of Silver or Metal Alloy Coin that is not legal tender in Nigeria, enthused

Other seizures are, 553 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 1415 (50) kg bags of foreign parboiled rice,750 (30 kg) kegs of PMS, 50 cartons of Tomato Ketchup, 1 boat engine 50 bales of fairly used clothing, 5 vehicles, unregistered pharmaceuticals which include 420 bottles of CA-C100 vitamin C and Haldol injection (5ml), with total DPV of #669,785,336.00.

“In line with our commitment to inter-agency collaboration, we have handed over the seized cannabis sativa, corrosive mercury canisters and unregistered pharmaceuticals to the relevant agencies for further investigation and prosecution,” he said.

In continuation, he said, “Let me use this medium to alert the public on the activities of fraudsters who are impersonating our officers, claiming to auction off or sell vehicles. This scammers operates via social media and other informal platforms. Seme Command disassociate itself from any such illegality.
The Nigeria Customs Service does not sell or auction seized items via whatsapp APP