By Femi Anamelechi
The Area Comptroller, of Seme Area command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo has revealed that the command recorded and increased revenue of N84,504,936,.66. from 13th April 2025 to 13th May 2025. and seizures valued at #669,785.336. This was disclosed during Media briefing with the Press on 13th May at the corporate office of the command at the ECOWAS Complex in Badagry. Speaking during the briefing CAC, Dr. Ben Oramalugo pointed out that the achievement is very significant and shows the Seme Area command’s critical role and contribution to national economic growth.
He stated that the increased revenue generation was as a result of “efficient border management,on 28th March 2025, at about 2000hrs, operatives of the Command on stop and search duty intercepted a motorcyclist suspected of conveying contraband goods along Owode Road.According to him the rider conveying the contrabands upon interception abandoned a Ghana-Must-Go bag and escaped. The abandoned bags during examination, was found to contain various foreign coins “These included 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.
He further announced that on 1st April 2025, officers on a swift operation 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 Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty One Naira (₦8,975,281.00k) only. The CAC pointed out that ,”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.”
He also discussed that officer and men of the command in a a related swift operation on credible intelligence on 9th May 2025 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. He said a suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.Major 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).
The CAC stated that “the siezed Cannabis sativa shall be handed over to NDLEA while the Corrosive Mercury suspected to be IEDs and unregistered pharmaceuticals will also be handed to relevant agencies for discreet investigative action and possible prosecution.” This also highlights our readiness to work with sister agencies in safeguarding national security.’
EXPORT/TRADE FACILITATION Comptroller Oramalugo speaking on Exports and Trade facilitation emphasized that In line with the Federal Government’s agenda on economic diversification through non-oil exports, the Command facilitated the movement of Two Thousand and Twenty Nine (2,029) trucks, equivalent to over Eighty-Eight metric tonnes (88,036.15) of made-in-Nigeria goods.’ These exports had a Free On Board (FOB) value of Sixteen Billion, Nine Hundred Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty One Naira and Ten Kobo (₦16,900,987,331.10k) only.While the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees stood at Eighty Four Million, Five Hundred and Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Six Naira and Sixty Six Kobo (₦84,504,936.66k) only.”The comptroller commended the patriotic officers and men of the Seme Area Command for their steadfastness, professionalism, and integrity.
He further expressed his gratitude to stakeholders and partners and promised to remain fully committed to the mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and suppression of smuggling and reiterated that the command will not be deterred by mischief-makers or their propaganda. The Command will continue to work diligently in the interest of national economic development and security. Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo appealed to parents and guardians residing in border communities to warn wards and youths to refrain from engaging in smuggling activities and avoid being used as agents to obstruct law enforcement officers in the discharge of their legitimate duties. At the handing over of the illicit drugs to officers from NDLEA represented by Director of Narcotics Dr. Nuhu, the Comptroller promised to collaborate with the Rtd.Major Bridge. Buba Mohammed Marwa (MFR) led officers to intensify the war against illicit drugs.
