The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, has intercepted prohibited imported goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over ₦273.7 million, reaffirming its commitment to protecting local industries and supporting Nigeria’s economic growth.
Speaking during a press briefing in Calabar, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Giwa Dauda, disclosed that officers intercepted two 20-foot containers carrying 1,996 kegs of smuggled foreign refined vegetable oil along the Odukpani–Calabar Highway on 14 June 2026. The products, valued at approximately ₦195.5 million, were concealed in a truck and discovered during a routine patrol operation.
According to the Comptroller, refined vegetable oil is one of the products covered by the Federal Government’s import prohibition policy, designed to encourage local production, protect investments in Nigerian manufacturing, and preserve employment across the agricultural and industrial sectors.
In addition to the vegetable oil seizure, the Command also confiscated 1,500 used tyres, 105 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing, and 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The intercepted petrol was safely disposed of due to its highly combustible nature.
Comptroller Dauda warned smugglers and other economic saboteurs against engaging in illegal importation, emphasizing that such activities undermine local businesses, distort fair competition, and hinder the country’s drive towards industrialisation and economic diversification.
Why This Matters
The seizure demonstrates the Nigeria Customs Service’s continued efforts to enforce import regulations while creating a level playing field for Nigerian manufacturers. It also serves as a reminder that compliance with government import policies is essential for sustainable business operations.
At Septmax Nigeria Limited, we encourage businesses to stay compliant with Customs regulations and rely on professional logistics and customs clearance services to ensure smooth and lawful importation processes.
