Border corridor: Petrol freely smuggled out, rice is smuggled in despite 60 checkpoints

Despite the presence of over 60 checkpoints, the Seme border corridor in Nigeria continues to grapple with rampant smuggling, particularly the outbound movement of petrol and inbound flow of rice. This persistent challenge highlights significant legal and enforcement complexities, undermining national economic stability and the efficacy of border security measures. This article examines the updated legal framework under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which replaced the Customs and Excise Management Act, and analyzes the multifaceted issues contributing to the smuggling menace. It delves into the operational challenges faced by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the broader implications for legal practitioners and national development, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach beyond mere enforcement.

The Seme border corridor, a critical gateway between Nigeria and Benin Republic, remains a hotbed of illicit trade, with petrol freely smuggled out and rice smuggled in, despite the reported presence of over 60 checkpoints. This alarming situation, highlighted by a recent press briefing from the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on May 25, 2026, underscores a profound challenge to Nigeria's economic stability and national security. The persistent failure to curb these activities, even with extensive security deployment, raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current enforcement strategies and the integrity of border operations.

The legal framework governing customs and excise duties, as well as anti-smuggling operations in Nigeria, has recently undergone a significant overhaul. The erstwhile Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), Cap C45 LFN 2004, was repealed and replaced by the comprehensive Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA), 2023, which was signed into law on April 20, 2023. This new Act establishes the Nigeria Customs Service as a statutory body with corporate personality, affirming its role as the lead agency for border control, import and export regulation, and revenue collection. The NCSA 2023 vests Customs officers with extensive operational and enforcement powers, including the authority to carry arms, arrest offenders, stop and search vessels and vehicles, and seize goods suspected to be unlawfully imported or connected with customs offenses.

The NCSA 2023 introduces stiffer penalties aimed at deterring smuggling and duty evasion, including significant fines and imprisonment. For instance, false claims of import or export drawback can attract a fine of N5 million or five years imprisonment or both, while concealment and wrong entry of goods may lead to a three-year jail term or a fine of six times the true value of revenue lost, alongside forfeiture of the smuggled items. Furthermore, individuals involved in constructing or financing routes, tunnels, or passageways that cross international borders for smuggling purposes face a fine of N20 million or 20 years imprisonment or both. Despite these stringent provisions and the reported deployment of numerous checkpoints by various agencies, including the NCS, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Police, smuggling activities at the Seme border continue unabated.

The persistent smuggling of petrol and rice through the Seme border, despite extensive checkpoints and robust legal frameworks, presents a complex challenge for legal practitioners and policymakers alike. For attorneys, understanding the nuances of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and its stringent penalties is crucial when advising clients on import/export compliance or defending those accused of smuggling. The allegations of unofficial payments at checkpoints also highlight potential avenues for challenging enforcement actions on grounds of corruption or procedural irregularities.