Nigeria: Petrol smuggled out, rice smuggled in despite 60 checkpoints at Seme border

Nigeria's Seme Area Command faces a persistent challenge with cross-border smuggling, where petrol is freely taken out of the country while rice is brought in, despite the presence of 60 checkpoints. This situation underscores ongoing difficulties in enforcing trade regulations and securing the nation's borders.

Officials from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) acknowledged these smuggling activities during a press briefing on May 25, 2026. The briefing, which a reporter was invited to attend, aimed to shed light on the operational challenges and successes at the command.

The free flow of smuggled goods, particularly petrol, out of Nigeria and the influx of rice indicate a complex network of illicit trade. The sheer number of checkpoints suggests a significant enforcement presence, yet the continued smuggling points to systemic issues, potentially involving corruption or the exploitation of loopholes.

This ongoing trade imbalance at the border not only impacts legitimate businesses but also affects government revenue and national security. The NCS faces the difficult task of combating these sophisticated smuggling operations while managing a vast and porous border.