Concerns over Seme Border Smuggling have resurfaced following observations and accounts from residents along the Lagos-Seme corridor, where petrol, rice, and human trafficking activities are alleged to continue despite the presence of dozens of security checkpoints operated by multiple government agencies.
The findings emerged during a visit to the Seme border area on May 25, 2026, following a press briefing organised by the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Travelling from Mile 2 in Lagos to the border route, security checkpoints operated by the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, military personnel, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were observed along the corridor.
According to local residents and transport operators, however, the extensive security presence has not eliminated Seme Border Smuggling, as operators have reportedly shifted activities away from the main highway.
A resident of Badagry and local blogger, Manoah Kikekon, explained that smugglers increasingly rely on village routes to evade enforcement officers. He identified Adesungbeme/Azangbeme in Babapupa, Badagry West Local Council Development Area as one of the alternative routes allegedly used for moving petrol from Nigeria into border communities around Seme.
During the visit, motorcycles transporting petrol were reportedly seen crossing through the area. Residents also claimed that while petrol movements occur mainly during the day, rice smuggling and human trafficking activities are more common at night.
One motorcycle rider who requested anonymity said: “I don’t operate during the daytime. Some of us only move at night, carrying rice from Pawu to Nigeria. Sometimes, I also carry young ladies. I don’t know who they are, but they usually say they are going to meet relatives in Seme. I only do my job.” Residents further described the Babapupa route as a longstanding corridor linked to irregular migration and trafficking activities.
While returning from the border, travellers counted approximately 60 checkpoints between Seme and Badagry Roundabout.
The count included 27 police checkpoints, 12 operated by Customs officers, four by Immigration personnel, five by the FRSC, five by military officers, and two by the NDLEA. Commercial drivers alleged that they are frequently required to make unofficial payments at many of the checkpoints. According to transport operators, the financial burden significantly affects earnings on the route.
One transport union member claimed that passengers pay about N2,000 each for trips between Badagry and Seme, but a substantial portion of the revenue is spent on checkpoint-related payments. The allegations have further intensified concerns about the effectiveness of efforts to curb Seme Border Smuggling despite the large deployment of security personnel.
According to Kikekon, former Seme Area Comptroller of Customs, Wale Adenuga, stated during a stakeholders’ meeting in 2025 that only two official Customs checkpoints were recognised between Lagos and the Seme border.
The recognised locations were identified as the Agbara checkpoint and the Gbaji Bridge checkpoint. Kikekon said Adenuga had maintained a strict stance against unauthorised checkpoints operating along the Seme corridor.
