The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that rice remained the most commonly smuggled and seized item in the first quarter of 2025, with a total of 159 cases involving 135,474 bags valued at N939 million.
This was revealed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, during a media briefing in Abuja on the agency’s Q1 performance. Adeniyi noted that the seizures underscored the Service’s intensified efforts to curb smuggling and protect the nation’s economy.
Following rice on the list of top contraband items were petroleum products, with 61 seizures totaling 65,819 litres and a duty-paid value of N43 million.
“Rice remains the highest in terms of volume and value among our seizures this quarter,” Adeniyi said. “This reflects our continued surveillance and enforcement across the country’s borders.”
The Customs Service also reported 22 seizures of narcotics valued at N730 million, a significant indicator of its growing focus on halting drug trafficking. Additionally, wildlife product seizures reached an estimated value of N5.6 billion, reflecting the scale and profitability of illegal wildlife trade operations.
Other items confiscated during the quarter included:
13 cases of textile materials worth N134 million
Five cases of retreaded tyres valued at N104 million
One case of pharmaceuticals estimated at N17.1 million
“These figures highlight the breadth of prohibited items intercepted and our commitment to enforcing national and international trade regulations,” the CGC added.
Adeniyi emphasized that the NCS is deploying modern tools and intelligence-led strategies to tackle illicit trade. He cited advancements in non-intrusive inspection technologies and ongoing collaborations with international organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
“Our operations are increasingly driven by data, technology, and partnerships to keep pace with the evolving tactics of smugglers,” he said.
In addition to enforcement, the service achieved notable milestones in modernization. The NCS continued the expansion of its locally developed customs clearance system, B’Odogwu, to more commands nationwide, enhancing efficiency and transparency.
Adeniyi also highlighted the February launch of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Programme, a World Customs Organization-endorsed initiative that rewards compliant businesses with benefits like faster cargo clearance and reduced inspection times.
“The AEO initiative is part of our broader agenda to improve trade facilitation while maintaining strict compliance,” he stated.
He concluded by reaffirming the NCS’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economic interests through innovation, collaboration, and relentless enforcement.
Leave a Reply