₦1 Billion Cocaine Sting: Customs Smashes Midnight Smuggling Ring at Seme Border

Credit: Nigeria Customs Service

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command have foiled an attempt to smuggle 22 packages of suspected cocaine valued at approximately N1 billion into the country, hidden in a specially constructed compartment beneath the axle of a Toyota Highlander vehicle along the Badagry – Seme border corridor.

The interception took place early on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, around 3:00 a.m, as announced by the Service on its X handle – @CustomsNG.

The discovery was described as highly sophisticated concealment that would have likely gone undetected without the sharp vigilance of the officers involved. The operation was led by the Seme Area Command under Comptroller Wale Adenuga.

Deputy Comptroller – General Timi Bomodi, representing the Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, spoke at the handover ceremony on Friday, February 13, 2026, at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ in Lagos. He praised the dedication of the team and emphasized that the seizure demonstrates NCS’s unwavering resolve to protect Nigeria’s borders and shield society from the dangers of narcotics trafficking.

Bomodi stressed that the action aligns with Section 55(1)(C) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which empowers the service to enforce prohibitions related to public health and national security. He also linked illicit drugs to broader insecurity challenges, calling for continued strong collaboration among government agencies.

Inter-Agency Handover

One suspect was arrested in connection with the consignment. In line with established inter-agency protocols, the seized drugs and the suspect were formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Assistant Commander General Abubakar Wali of NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command received the exhibits and the suspect. He commended the partnership under the existing Memorandum of Understanding between NDLEA and NCS, describing it as a model of effective cooperation in the fight against cross-border drug trafficking. Wali assured that a thorough investigation, including forensic analysis, would be conducted to identify and prosecute all individuals involved.

The seizure is the latest in a series of significant reported narcotics interceptions by NCS in recent months, leading to the perception of heightened surveillance and intelligence efforts along Nigeria’s land and sea borders. The Badagry – Seme corridor has long been identified as a high-risk route for smuggling, prompting intensified patrols and use of advanced detection technology.