Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 56 containers containing contraband goods with a combined duty-paid value of N5.53 billion at the Port Harcourt Area II Command in Onne, Rivers State.
The seized consignments included vegetable oil, used clothing and foreign tomato paste, according to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who disclosed the seizure during a briefing and inspection of the containers at Onne Wharf on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
The Customs Service said the goods were allegedly concealed under declarations for machinery and spare parts and imported through the Onne Free Trade Zone.
The seizure has raised fresh concerns about the alleged abuse of concessions granted to operators in Nigeria’s free trade zones, which were established to encourage manufacturing, investment, local production and exports.
56 Containers Intercepted at Onne Port
According to the Nigeria Customs Service, the seized consignments comprised 45 containers of vegetable oil, nine 40-foot containers of used clothing and two 20-foot containers of foreign tomato paste.
The 45 containers of Delicious Pur vegetable oil were valued at approximately N4.2525 billion in duty-paid terms.
Customs said each container contained 1,050 jerry cans of 25 litres of vegetable oil.
The agency said the consignments had been declared as machinery and spare parts before officers subjected them to physical examination.
The inspection allegedly revealed that the containers instead contained vegetable oil.
Customs said the discrepancy formed part of the basis for the seizure and ongoing investigation.
The nine 40-foot containers containing used clothing were valued at approximately N1.045 billion, while the two 20-foot containers of foreign tomato paste were valued at about N232 million.
Together, the consignments have a combined duty-paid value of about N5.53 billion.
Customs Raises Concern Over Free Trade Zone Concessions
Speaking during the briefing, Adeniyi said the interception followed intelligence gathering and risk-based analysis of importers operating through the Onne Free Trade Zone.
He said the Customs Service had been reviewing goods imported through Onne Port and destined for free trade zones and other economic zones.
According to Adeniyi, the review indicated that some importers were allegedly abusing concessions provided to free zone operators.
The Federal Government established free and special economic zones to encourage investment, manufacturing, local production and exports.
Operators can receive incentives that may include concessions relating to the importation of machinery, plants and raw materials for approved activities.
However, Customs said some importers were allegedly using the system to bring restricted goods into Nigeria and subsequently introduce them into the domestic market.
The agency said such practices undermine the purpose of the incentives and create enforcement challenges for customs authorities.
Goods Allegedly Falsely Declared
The vegetable oil consignment became a major focus of the Customs operation because of the difference between the declared goods and the products discovered during physical examination.
Customs said the 45 containers had been declared as machinery and spare parts but were found to contain vegetable oil.
The agency said the findings raised questions about the intended destination and use of the consignments.
Adeniyi said the interception was part of the Customs Service’s broader efforts to detect false declarations, prevent the importation of prohibited or restricted goods and protect government revenue.
The Customs chief also said the vegetable oil and used clothing were seized for allegedly contravening Sections 55 and 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Investigation and Prosecution to Follow
The Nigeria Customs Service said investigations into the seized consignments would continue.
Adeniyi said the owners of the goods would be prosecuted after the investigations in accordance with relevant Nigerian import laws.
The statement means that while Customs has identified the consignments as contraband and alleged violations of customs regulations, the legal responsibility of individuals or companies connected to the shipments will ultimately depend on the outcome of the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
This distinction is important because the seizure itself does not constitute a final judicial determination of criminal liability.
Why the Seizure Matters
The development has implications for Nigeria’s customs revenue, domestic manufacturing and the operation of free trade zones.
False declarations can make it more difficult for authorities to accurately assess imported goods and collect the appropriate duties.
Customs also argued that the illegal introduction of restricted or improperly declared goods could expose local manufacturers, farmers and other producers to unfair competition.
The agency said its enforcement activities are aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economic interests, public health and national security while ensuring compliance with import regulations.
The case also highlights the challenge of balancing investment incentives with effective customs oversight.
Free trade zones are designed to make Nigeria more attractive to investors and manufacturers. However, the Customs Service maintains that the concessions attached to such zones must be used for their intended economic purposes rather than as a means of circumventing import restrictions.
Customs Vows to Sustain Enforcement
Adeniyi commended officers and personnel of the Port Harcourt Area II Command for identifying the allegedly falsely declared consignments.
He urged them to maintain their vigilance and strengthen intelligence-led enforcement.
The seizure comes as Nigerian authorities continue efforts to combat smuggling, false declarations and other forms of customs-related violations across the country’s ports and borders.
For businesses importing goods through free trade zones, the development also reinforces the importance of accurate declarations and compliance with applicable customs regulations.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is the continuation of investigations into the seized consignments.
According to the Customs Service, the owners of the goods are expected to face prosecution after the investigation process is completed.
The eventual legal proceedings will determine whether the parties involved breached Nigeria’s customs and import laws and what penalties may apply.
For now, the NCS has retained the 56 containers as part of its enforcement action, with the agency maintaining that the seizure is intended to protect government revenue, domestic production, public health and Nigeria’s economic interests.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) — Statements and briefing by Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on the seizure at the Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne.
- The Punch — Report published September 15, 2026, on the seizure of 56 containers containing vegetable oil, used clothing and foreign tomato paste valued at N5.53 billion.
- Business Hallmark — Report published September 15, 2026, detailing the breakdown of the 56 containers and the Customs Service’s concerns over alleged abuse of free trade zone concessions.
- First Daily — Report published September 15, 2026, on the Customs interception of N5.53 billion worth of contraband in 56 containers at Onne.
