The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has announced the interception of five trucks carrying 2,800 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice, with a total Duty Paid Value of ₦919.5 million.

Customs Area Controller Dr. Benedict Oramalugo disclosed the seizure on Thursday during a press briefing at the Joint Border Post in Seme. He said the operation, which took place between July 1 and 19, was based on actionable intelligence and targeted smuggling activities along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.

The move forms part of broader efforts by the NCS to curb illegal imports, protect local agriculture, and enforce border trade regulations.

He explained that the intercepted trucks were laden with smuggled goods, each carrying 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice alongside bales of second-hand clothing.

“In total, 2,800 bags of rice and 250 bales of used clothing were recovered from the intercepted vehicles,” he stated.

Oramalugo stated that the Duty Paid Value of the seized rice and vehicles was estimated at ₦919.5 million.

He further revealed that between May 14 and June 30, the command made additional interceptions, including more bags of foreign parboiled rice, bringing the total quantity seized during the period to 4,119 bags.

Other contraband recovered within the same timeframe included cannabis sativa, sugar, flour, tomato ketchup, a boat with an outboard engine, as well as several bales of second-hand clothing and used footwear.

Oramalugo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s ban on rice imports through land borders, stressing that the policy is designed to support local farmers and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign rice.

He noted that Nigeria remains Africa’s leading rice producer, with annual production exceeding 8 million metric tonnes—surpassing countries like Egypt and Tanzania.

Despite this milestone, he said local rice mills still struggle with low patronage, preventing them from operating at full capacity and undermining the country’s food self-sufficiency goals.

However, he lamented that despite government efforts, some individuals continue to engage in smuggling, thereby undermining Nigeria’s economic progress.

Oramalugo warned that the Seme Command would not tolerate any form of smuggling or illegal trade, stressing that the recent seizures reflect the command’s unwavering commitment to enforcing government fiscal policies without compromise.

He added that the confiscated cannabis would be handed over to the relevant authorities for investigation and further action.