Customs Seizes 56 Containers of Prohibited Goods Worth N5.53bn, Vows to Protect Local Production

 Customs Seizes 56 Containers of Prohibited Goods Worth N5.53bn, Vows to Protect Local Production

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 56 containers containing prohibited and improperly declared goods with a total duty paid value of N5.53 billion, as the Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerian farmers, manufacturers and businesses from unfair competition posed by prohibited imports.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, while briefing journalists at the Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne, Rivers State.

According to Adeniyi, the seizures were the outcome of intelligence-driven and risk-based operations designed to prevent prohibited, restricted and improperly declared consignments from entering the Nigerian market.

He said unchecked importation of goods that could be produced or processed locally places additional pressure on Nigerian farmers, manufacturers and other domestic producers by exposing them to unfair competition, weakening demand for locally made products and discouraging investment across domestic value chains.

“The intervention formed part of intelligence-driven and risk-based operations aimed at preventing prohibited, restricted and improperly declared consignments from entering the Nigerian market, thereby crippling the overall productivity of our local businesses,” the CGC said.

Adeniyi noted that the economic consequences were particularly significant for the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, warning that large-scale importation of products Nigeria has the capacity to produce or process could undermine efforts to strengthen food security, create employment and diversify the national economy.

“The economic impact is especially significant in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Large-scale importation of products that Nigeria can produce or process may undermine the Federal Government’s efforts to promote local industries, strengthen food security, create jobs, and diversify the economy,” he said.

The Customs boss stressed that the Service's enforcement activities were not intended to frustrate legitimate businesses, but to create a fair, secure and predictable trading environment for compliant operators.

He explained that the NCS was applying a risk-based approach that allows legitimate cargo to be facilitated while consignments considered high-risk are subjected to enhanced scrutiny.

Giving a breakdown of the seized consignments, Adeniyi said they comprised 45 20-foot containers of foreign vegetable oil, nine 40-foot containers of used clothing and two 20-foot containers of Channy tomato paste.

He commended the Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt II Area Command, Comptroller Aliyu Alkali, and officers of the command for the successful interceptions.

The Comptroller-General further advised importers and other stakeholders to establish the admissibility of their intended imports before commencing transactions.

He also urged importers to make accurate declarations covering the description, quantity, value, origin and classification of their goods to avoid enforcement actions and possible forfeiture.

Adeniyi said the seizures were consistent with the Federal Government's broader economic objectives, particularly policies aimed at promoting local production and encouraging the consumption of made-in-Nigeria goods.