LAGOS FEBRUARY 14TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 22 wraps of cocaine weighing 25 kilograms and valued at N1bn, even as it unveiled plans to commence paperless operations by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizure on Friday while parading the suspect alongside the contraband at the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos.
Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Timi Bomodi, said the contraband was intercepted along the Oloko axis in the Badagry area of Lagos State.
“It is with a deep sense of duty and pride that I address you today regarding a significant enforcement success achieved by the vigilant operatives of our Seme Area Command. In the early hours of Tuesday, 10 February 2026, at approximately 0300 hours along the Badagry-Seme axis, our dedicated officers intercepted a Toyota Highlander vehicle conveying 22 packages of substances suspected to be cocaine. The total weight of the illicit consignment is 25 kilograms,” Adeniyi said.
He added that one suspect was promptly arrested in connection with the seizure, noting that the interception was the direct result of actionable intelligence swiftly acted upon by the command.
Adeniyi stressed that the action demonstrated the service’s resolve to safeguard the borders and protect society from narcotic trafficking, adding that it aligns with Section 55(1)(c) of the NCS Act, 2023.
“Furthermore, in line with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2024, and to strengthen the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies, the suspected cocaine, the means of conveyance (the Toyota Highlander vehicle), and the arrested suspect have been formally handed over to NDLEA,” he stated.
Receiving the items, the Commander of the NDLEA, Lagos Strategic Command, Abubakar Liman Wali, said the drugs had a street value of N40m per kilogram.
“We appreciate and commend the NCS for the seizure and handling of 22 packages of suspected cocaine weighing 25kg, along with the suspect and the means of conveyance, which is a Toyota Highlander.
“This gesture underscores the effectiveness of the Memorandum of Understanding between the NDLEA and the NCS and the deepening of inter-agency collaboration in tackling the remnants of cross-border drug trafficking. I wish to assure you that the suspect and contraband handed over to us today will be subjected to thorough investigation, field testing, and forensic analysis to ensure all those involved are brought to justice,” Wali said.
He reiterated that the NDLEA remains committed to working with sister agencies to curb illicit drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, Adeniyi also announced that the service would commence paperless operations before the end of the second quarter of 2026. He made this known in Lagos during the launch of the One-Stop-Shop initiative, a unified operational framework designed to centralise all risk interventions within a coordinated digital and physical environment.
“As part of this broader transformation, the service is advancing toward a fully paperless Customs environment. I am pleased to inform stakeholders that the first phase of this transition, covering core clearance, documentation, and approval processes, is scheduled for rollout by the end of the second quarter of this year. This initiative will further reduce physical interfaces, enhance data integrity, improve processing speed, and strengthen audit controls,” he said.
According to Adeniyi, the OSS replaces fragmented processes with an integrated clearance system bringing together valuation, customs processing centres, intelligence, enforcement, compliance monitoring, and gate operations into a single workflow supported by digital tracking.
“Today’s engagement addresses a concern shared by the government, business, and citizens alike: how efficiently Nigeria moves goods across its borders, and how that efficiency shapes investment, competitiveness, and economic growth,” he added.
He noted that national assessments and Nigeria’s recent Trade Policy Review at the World Trade Organization highlighted delays, overlapping checks, and uncoordinated procedures that increase the cost of doing business.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the digital platform consolidates all risk interventions into a single interface, eliminating procedural complications and improving clearance efficiency.
In separate goodwill messages, the Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, represented by Segun Oshidipe, and the National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, Emenike Nwokeoji, expressed support for the initiative, describing it as a step toward reducing bottlenecks, cutting costs, and enhancing trade facilitation.
Punch
For media advert placement, events coverage, media consultancy, placement of publications and further inquiries please WhatsApp 2348023773039 or email: labakevwe@yahoo.com
