The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that rice continues to be the most smuggled commodity across the country, as it seized 135,474 bags valued at over N939 million in the first quarter of 2025.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press briefing held in Abuja. He said the seizures occurred across 159 separate incidents, making rice the leading item among prohibited goods intercepted during the period.
“Rice remained the most prevalent seized commodity, with 159 cases involving 135,474 bags valued at N939m,” Adeniyi stated.
In addition to rice, the NCS also confiscated 65,819 litres of petroleum products worth N43 million in 61 operations. The CGC further highlighted key efforts to combat the smuggling of narcotics, citing 22 drug-related seizures with a combined street value of N730 million.
Environmental concerns were also a major focus. The service intercepted high-value wildlife products in three separate cases, valued at a staggering N5.6 billion. According to Adeniyi, these efforts underscore the NCS’s commitment to international environmental conventions and the fight against illegal wildlife trade.
Other notable seizures included:
- 13 cases of textile fabrics valued at N134 million
- 5 cases of retreaded tires worth N104 million
- 1 case of pharmaceuticals worth N17.1 million
“These comprehensive results demonstrate the service’s vigilance across all categories of prohibited and restricted goods,” the CGC noted.
Adeniyi emphasized that these seizures reflect the NCS’s strategic shift toward intelligence-driven enforcement, enhanced border surveillance, and collaboration with global partners such as the UNODC. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to using advanced technology and inter-agency cooperation to curb illicit trade and protect national revenue.
In its modernization agenda, the Customs Service has expanded its home-grown clearance platform, B’Odogwu, to more locations, improving efficiency. It also launched the Authorized Economic Operators Programme in February, rewarding compliant businesses with expedited customs procedures.
These developments, Adeniyi said, align with the NCS’s broader strategy to secure borders, promote legal trade, and modernize customs operations nationwide.
