Customs Intercepts ₦1bn Worth of Cocaine Along Badagry-Seme Corridor, Hands Over Suspect to NDLEA
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dealt a major blow to narcotics trafficking along the strategic Badagry-Seme corridor, intercepting 22 compressed packages of suspected cocaine valued at ₦1 billion and arresting a suspect in the process.
The seizure, made at about 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, was carried out by vigilant operatives of the Seme Area Command who acted on actionable intelligence.
Speaking on the development, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, DCG Timi Bomodi, commended the professionalism and commitment of the officers involved.
He said the seizure aligns with the statutory mandate of the Service to protect society from the scourge of narcotics.
CGC Adeniyi stated that the NCS is empowered by Section 55(1)(c) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, to enforce prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports relating to the protection of human, animal, and plant health.
He emphasized that the Service’s mandate goes beyond revenue collection to include protecting society from dangerous narcotics.
He further expressed commitment to sustaining the fight against drug trafficking, noting that the NCS remains steadfast in its vigilance and dedication to a safer, healthier Nigeria.
He thanked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its partnership and assured Nigerians that the Service is fully committed to protecting the country.
The Comptroller-General also commended the officers involved in the operation, stating that their sacrifices do not go unnoticed, and urged them to continue upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
Seme Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, disclosed that the intelligence leading to the interception was facilitated by the Comptroller-General of Customs.
He revealed that the illicit substance was skillfully concealed within the bunker of the vehicle and was discovered during a thorough search by operatives.
In his remarks, NDLEA Commander, Abubakar Liman Wali, received the seized drugs, vehicle, and suspect, praising the collaboration between the NCS and NDLEA.
Wali said the partnership underscores the shared commitment of both agencies to combat drug trafficking through coordinated efforts, intelligence sharing, and joint operations.
The seized cocaine, vehicle, and suspect have since been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, reinforcing the strengthened inter-agency synergy in Nigeria’s fight against narcotics trafficking.
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