The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has seized suspected cannabis, codeine-based syrups and other smuggled goods worth more than N500m during a renewed anti-smuggling operation at the Seme border corridor.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, the Customs Area Controller of the Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, said the seizures were made through intelligence-led surveillance operations conducted within the past two months.

The controller, who assumed office on 18 March 2026, said the command also generated nearly N9.8bn in revenue during the period, a sharp increase compared with the same period last year.

According to Customs figures presented at the briefing, the command generated N9.79bn between March and May 2026, compared with N2.18bn during the corresponding period in 2025.

Officials said the increase represented a 448% growth rate.

Cannabis and pharmaceutical products intercepted

Among the major seizures announced were 800 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa, which Customs said were smuggled into Nigeria from Ghana through the Seme border corridor.

The controller said the drugs were intercepted following intelligence gathering and sustained surveillance operations.

Six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, although Customs said they were later released on administrative bail pending further investigations.

The seized cannabis is expected to be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.

Customs also announced the interception of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs allegedly brought into the country without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

The products seized included:

55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maker Syrup

88 packs of 99 Bullet herbal medicine

10 cartons of Ultimate Plus Maker Sedal

14 cartons each of Super Sexy, Machine Man and Citrate 200mg

100 packs each of Tramartine and Campendol

Officials said the pharmaceutical products would also be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action.

Rice, spaghetti and used shoes seized

The command further disclosed that officers intercepted:

2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice

993 cartons of foreign spaghetti

250 bags of used clothing

Vegetable oil and premium motor spirit products

Customs placed the total duty-paid value of all seized items at more than N500m.

The controller described the operations as part of the agency’s “zero-tolerance stance against smuggling”.

“These seizures underscore the command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and reaffirm determination to protect the nation’s economy, support local industry, preserve public safety, and enforce compliance,” he said.

Why the seizures matter

The Seme border is one of Nigeria’s busiest trade corridors, linking the country to neighbouring West African states under the Economic Community of West African States trade framework and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Security experts say the corridor remains strategically important because it serves both legitimate trade and illegal cross-border trafficking routes.

The latest seizures also highlight growing concerns over the smuggling of narcotics and unregulated pharmaceutical products into Nigeria.

Public health experts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of unregistered medicines, particularly codeine-based products, which authorities say are frequently abused.

Customs highlights trade facilitation efforts

Despite the enforcement operations, the controller said the command remained committed to facilitating lawful trade.

He said Customs had intensified engagement with freight forwarders, transport unions, importers, exporters and other stakeholders to reduce bottlenecks and improve compliance.

“Compliance remains the safest, fastest and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade,” he said.

The command also said it was working closely with sister security agencies and the Western Marine Command to strengthen surveillance along land and maritime routes.

Revenue growth linked to reforms

Customs attributed the increase in revenue collection to tighter compliance mechanisms, anti-revenue leakage measures and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.

The agency said improved collaboration with stakeholders and enhanced operational efficiency also contributed to the growth.

Analysts say stronger border enforcement and digital customs systems could improve government revenue generation, especially as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy away from oil dependence.

What’s next?

The seized cannabis and pharmaceutical products are expected to be formally transferred to the NDLEA and NAFDAC for further investigation.

Customs officials also signalled that anti-smuggling patrols along the Seme-Badagry corridor would intensify in the coming months.

Authorities say enforcement operations will continue alongside efforts to improve legitimate regional trade under AfCFTA and ECOWAS trade agreements.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received fresh backing from within the ruling All Progressives Congress after Ondo North senatorial aspirant Chief Alexander Oluremi Ajipe congratulated him on emerging as the party’s candidate for the next general election.

In a statement released on Saturday, Ajipe described Tinubu’s emergence as a “resounding vote of confidence” by party members and said it reflected growing support for the president’s leadership and policy direction.

The endorsement comes as political stakeholders across Nigeria begin early mobilisation ahead of the next election cycle, with parties seeking to consolidate support at the grassroots level.

Ajipe backs Tinubu’s leadership agenda

Chief Alexander Oluremi Ajipe, an APC senatorial aspirant for Ondo North, said Tinubu’s leadership had inspired hope among Nigerians across different regions of the country.

He praised the president’s “track record of service, clear policy direction, and commitment to national development”.

“As you prepare for the general election, I pledge the full support of my grassroots followers and political associates to the collective effort of defending the gains of our party and advancing the agenda of inclusive growth, security, and prosperity for all,” Ajipe said.

The APC chieftain also expressed confidence that the party would secure another electoral victory under Tinubu’s leadership.

According to him, unity within the party remains critical to maintaining political stability and strengthening public confidence in the APC ahead of future elections.

Why it matters

Tinubu’s endorsement by party figures in Ondo State highlights ongoing efforts within the APC to strengthen internal cohesion and consolidate regional support bases.

Political analysts say endorsements from influential grassroots actors can play a major role in voter mobilisation, especially in politically strategic regions such as the South-West.

Ondo State has traditionally remained an important battleground in national elections, with parties investing heavily in local political alliances and community outreach.

The statement also reflects the APC’s attempt to project unity at a time when Nigerians continue to debate issues including economic reforms, inflation, security challenges, and governance performance.

Call for peaceful participation

Ajipe urged APC stakeholders in Ondo State, particularly within Ondo North Senatorial District, to support the party’s candidate and ensure peaceful political engagement.

He called for collaboration among party loyalists to help deliver what he described as a credible election process.

Political observers say such appeals may become increasingly common as campaigns intensify and parties seek to avoid internal divisions that could weaken their electoral chances.

Industry and public perspective

Some political commentators believe endorsements from regional leaders remain significant in shaping public perception and party loyalty, particularly in states where local political structures strongly influence voter behaviour.

Others argue that beyond endorsements, Nigerians will closely scrutinise policy delivery, economic performance, and security outcomes ahead of future elections.

Public sentiment surrounding the economy, cost of living, and employment opportunities is expected to remain central to political conversations nationwide.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested a 63-year-old Chinese woman and intercepted multiple illicit drug shipments across Nigeria, including opioids valued at more than N2.1 billion.

The agency said the suspect, identified as Ting Hung Kiong, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, after arriving from Thailand through Dubai on an Emirates flight.

According to the NDLEA, the woman — described as a Chinese national naturalised in Malaysia — was found with two large suitcases containing 31 kilograms of “Canadian Loud”, a synthetic strain of cannabis.

Investigators said she travelled from Malaysia to Thailand before heading to Nigeria through the United Arab Emirates.

During questioning, the suspect reportedly told officers that her daughter sponsored the trip and that the drug consignment was handed to her at an airport in Thailand for delivery in Nigeria.

N2.1bn opioid shipment recovered from India

In a separate operation, NDLEA officials said they recovered 1,825,710 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg at the import section of the Lagos airport.

The consignment, which arrived from India aboard an Emirates Cargo flight, was valued at N2,190,852,000, according to the agency.

The NDLEA said the shipment was handed over by the Nigeria Customs Service after days of surveillance and monitoring.

Tapentadol is a strong opioid pain medication that authorities say is increasingly being trafficked illegally across West Africa amid rising concerns over drug abuse and addiction.

Why it matters

Nigeria has become a major transit and destination point for illicit narcotics, particularly synthetic opioids and cannabis products.

Security analysts and public health advocates have repeatedly warned that rising drug trafficking networks could deepen addiction, increase organised crime and place more pressure on healthcare and law enforcement systems.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has also identified West Africa as a growing hub for transnational drug trafficking operations.

Arrests made in Abuja and Enugu airports

At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, NDLEA operatives arrested a passenger identified as Onyeka Valentine Emeka during passenger clearance on an Ethiopian Airlines flight arriving from Sierra Leone through Addis Ababa.

The agency said the suspect later excreted 185.36 grams of cocaine while under observation.

Meanwhile, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, officers arrested 29-year-old building engineer Babatunde Prosper Afekhide as he prepared to board a flight to Milan, Italy, through Addis Ababa.

NDLEA officials said a search of his luggage uncovered 10,280 pills of Tramaking 225mg, Tramadol 200mg and Tapentadol 250mg hidden inside a carton wrapped in foil paper.

Authorities believe the concealment method was intended to evade airport detection systems.

Courier interceptions and warehouse raids

The agency also reported several seizures linked to international courier shipments in Lagos.

According to the NDLEA:

1,174 MDMA (Ecstasy) pills were concealed inside a bicycle luggage carrier destined for the Netherlands.

66 tramadol pills hidden inside a soap container were bound for the United States.

18 tramadol tablets concealed in a body cream container were heading to the United Kingdom.

In Edo State, operatives raided the Igwe community in Owan East Local Government Area, recovering 489kg of skunk and 9kg of cannabis seeds.

In Ekiti State, officers said they recovered 1,116kg of skunk during a warehouse raid in Ikole-Ekiti and arrested a 54-year-old suspect, Ogundana Adebayo Julius.

Another suspect, Isah Sani, was arrested along the Zaria-Kano road with 196,000 pills of Exol-5, the agency added.

NDLEA highlights anti-drug awareness campaigns

Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said it continued its “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) sensitisation programme in schools and communities nationwide.

The agency said awareness lectures were held in schools across Oyo, Anambra, Katsina, Lagos, Enugu, Ekiti and Kano states during the past week.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers involved in the arrests and seizures.

He urged personnel across the country to sustain both enforcement operations and anti-drug awareness campaigns.

“Their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities” should continue across the country, Mr Marwa said.

Industry and public reactions

Security experts say the seizures reflect growing sophistication in drug trafficking routes involving Africa, Asia and Europe.

Public health advocates have also raised concerns about the increasing circulation of opioids such as tramadol and tapentadol among young Nigerians.

Community groups and educators have meanwhile welcomed expanded anti-drug awareness campaigns in schools, warning that substance abuse is increasingly affecting students and vulnerable youths.

What happens next?

The suspects are expected to face further investigation and possible prosecution under Nigeria’s drug trafficking laws.

Authorities are also likely to intensify surveillance at airports, courier facilities and border communities as international trafficking networks continue to evolve.