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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Customs intercept N274m smuggled goods in Cross River

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Nigeria Customs Service seized smuggled goods worth over N273.7 million in Cross River State, including foreign vegetable oil, used tires, and second-hand clothing.
  • The operation aims to protect local manufacturers, preserve jobs, and support the Federal Government's industrialization agenda.
  • The seized vegetable oil, valued at N195.5 million, was prohibited under government policy to encourage domestic production and self-sufficiency.

The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations, intercepting prohibited goods valued at over N273.7 million in Cross River State. This significant seizure, part of a broader effort to safeguard local industries and jobs, included nearly 2,000 kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil, used tires, and second-hand clothing.

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.

— Comptroller Giwa DaudaAnnouncing the successful seizure of smuggled goods.

Comptroller Giwa Dauda, Customs Area Controller for Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, announced that operatives intercepted a truck carrying two 20-foot containers loaded with 1,996 kegs of prohibited foreign refined vegetable oil along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway on June 14, 2026. The products, with a Duty Paid Value of N195.5 million, were concealed within the truck during a routine patrol.

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

— Comptroller Giwa DaudaStating the command's dedication to policy enforcement.

Dauda emphasized that these goods are prohibited imports under existing government policy. He stated that their illegal entry into the Nigerian market would have severe consequences for local manufacturers and investors who have invested heavily in the sector. Allowing the unrestricted influx of foreign vegetable oil, he explained, undermines government efforts toward self-sufficiency, weakens local production capacity, and puts thousands of jobs at risk.

The products have a Duty Paid Value of N195.5m. 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.

— Comptroller Giwa DaudaDetailing the value and impact of the seized vegetable oil.

The Customs boss reiterated the service's commitment to enforcing Federal Government trade policies designed to stimulate local production, promote self-sufficiency, and strengthen Nigeria's industrial base. The seizure serves as a strong deterrent against illicit imports that threaten the viability of domestic industries and the livelihoods they support.

These products are listed under the Federal Government’s import prohibition policy, which seeks to stimulate local production, promote self-sufficiency, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.

— Comptroller Giwa DaudaExplaining the rationale behind the import prohibition.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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