Customs seizes N273.7m smuggled goods in Cross River as officials intercept prohibited vegetable oil, used tyres, clothing and petrol

The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations in Cross River State, intercepting prohibited imports and petroleum products with a combined Duty Paid Value of more than N273.7 million as authorities move to protect local industries and support Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.

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The latest enforcement action, announced on Wednesday by the Customs Area Controller for the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, Comptroller Giwa Dauda, involved the seizure of foreign refined vegetable oil, used tyres, second-hand clothing and smuggled petrol.

The operation forms part of a broader nationwide campaign by the Nigeria Customs Service to curb illicit trade, safeguard domestic manufacturers and preserve jobs across key sectors of the economy.

According to Dauda, Customs officers intercepted two 20-foot containers loaded with 1,996 kegs of prohibited foreign refined vegetable oil during a routine patrol along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway on June 14, 2026.

The vegetable oil, concealed inside a truck, was valued at N195.5 million in Duty Paid Value and represented one of the most significant seizures recorded by the command in recent months.

“The Nigeria Customs Service has reinforced its commitment to protecting Nigerian manufacturers and preserving jobs by intercepting prohibited imported goods valued at over N273 million in Cross River State,” Dauda said.

“The command remains resolute in enforcing Federal Government trade policies aimed at protecting local industries and encouraging domestic production.”

The Comptroller described the seizure as particularly important because of the substantial investments made by local operators in Nigeria’s vegetable oil industry.

He warned that illegal imports of prohibited products undermine government efforts to achieve self-sufficiency, weaken local manufacturing capacity and discourage further investment in the sector.

“These goods are prohibited imports under existing government policy, and their illegal entry into the Nigerian market would have serious consequences for local manufacturers and investors who have committed enormous resources to developing the sector,” he stated.

Beyond the vegetable oil seizure, Customs officers also intercepted 1,500 used tyres and 105 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing imported in violation of existing regulations.

Dauda said the combined value of all prohibited items seized during the operation brought the total Duty Paid Value to N273.7 million.

“When these seizures are added to other prohibited items intercepted within the period under review, the total Duty Paid Value amounts to N273.7 million. This demonstrates the scale of the illegal activities we continue to confront at our borders and within our operational corridors,” he said.

The Customs Seizes N273.7m Smuggled Goods operation also targeted the illegal transportation of petroleum products.

Dauda disclosed that officers intercepted 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, during anti-smuggling patrols.

The latest seizure increased the total volume of petrol confiscated by the command in 2026 to 5,760 litres.

“In addition to the prohibited imports, our officers intercepted 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit being illegally transported. This brings the total volume of PMS seized by the Command in 2026 to 5,760 litres,” he said.

Given the highly combustible nature of petroleum products, Dauda explained that the seized fuel was disposed of in line with approved safety procedures to eliminate risks to lives and property.

The crackdown comes amid growing efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen border controls and protect local industries from the adverse effects of smuggling.

Nigeria has maintained import restrictions on several products, including refined vegetable oil, as part of policies designed to stimulate domestic production, reduce dependence on foreign goods and promote industrial growth.

Dauda reiterated that smuggling remains a major threat to economic development, arguing that it distorts market competition, deprives government of revenue and places legitimate businesses at a disadvantage.

He warned smugglers and economic saboteurs to abandon illegal activities or face the full weight of the law.

The latest seizures also align with recent directives from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who announced a renewed nationwide offensive against the illicit importation of vegetable oil and other prohibited products.

During a recent strategy meeting with stakeholders in the vegetable oil industry, Adeniyi said the service was strengthening its enforcement architecture to dismantle smuggling networks threatening investments in agriculture and manufacturing.

Industry stakeholders have long argued that unchecked smuggling discourages investment and undermines efforts to build sustainable local industries capable of creating jobs and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports.

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With enforcement operations continuing across key border corridors, Customs officials say they remain committed to supporting government policies aimed at boosting local production and protecting legitimate businesses from unfair competition.