Adamu Sambo Muhammad, Chairman of the National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTFLCA), has alleged that he and two other members of his organisation were detained by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for three days after he raised an alarm over an alleged plan to smuggle large quantities of contraband into Nigeria through the Seme Border. Muhammad told SaharaReporters that the detention was ordered by former Controller of the NCS, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.
According to Muhammad, the organisation had been monitoring activities around the border to promote legitimate trade and discovered hundreds of vehicles allegedly connected to the movement of smuggled goods. He said on a particular day, they counted about 800 to 900 vehicles, including semi-trailers, which were allegedly being used to transport smuggled goods such as rice and other commodities.
Muhammad alleged that he called Adenuga to complain about the conduct of some Customs personnel and warn him of the suspected smuggling operation. However, when he went to Adenuga's office the following day with other members of his organisation, they were detained. They were accused of illegal collection of data and obstruction of legitimate trade.
Muhammad alleged that Customs officer Mohammed Abdul Fakai demanded ₦500,000 for their release, which was later negotiated down to ₦200,000. He said the detainees were presented with an undertaking to sign and were taken back to the cell when he initially refused. The ₦200,000 was transferred to Fakai's Access Bank account, with the narration "Bail from Customs custody."
Dr Basil Nwolisa, President of the NCJTFLCA, also alleged that large-scale smuggling had been taking place around border stations, with tons of rice and other products, including Tramadol and illicit goods, being brought into the country in the wee hours of the night. He said the organisation had received intelligence about plans to bring another large consignment into Nigeria using modified vehicles.
Nwolisa alleged that some Customs officers were collaborating with smugglers and that Muhammad's detention followed his decision to report the alleged smuggling operation to Adenuga. The organisation subsequently petitioned the Comptroller-General of Customs over the incident. Nwolisa said some members later attempted to negotiate directly with Adenuga.
The dispute later developed into a leadership crisis within the organisation, with some members reportedly divided over the issue. Muhammad was inaugurated as Chairman of the National Compliance Joint Taskforce on August 9, 2025, in the presence of Customs officials, police, Department of State Services' personnel, and other stakeholders.
Key points
- Nigeria Customs detains compliance chairman for alerting on smuggling
- Large-scale smuggling alleged at Seme Border
- Detention followed report to Customs controller
