Customs records N908m rice smuggling seizures in Q1
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted 15,212 bags of smuggled rice with an estimated value of N907.78 million during the first quarter of 2026, underscoring the continuing challenge of illegal rice imports and their impact on Nigeria’s agricultural and trade policies. Data obtained by our Correspondent from the Customs Enforcement Investigation and Inspection Department showed […]
FILE PHOTO: Some bags of the foreign rice seized by the customs
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted 15,212 bags of smuggled rice with an estimated value of N907.78 million during the first quarter of 2026, underscoring the continuing challenge of illegal rice imports and their impact on Nigeria’s agricultural and trade policies.
Data obtained by our Correspondent from the Customs Enforcement Investigation and Inspection Department showed that 286 rice seizure cases were recorded between January and March 2026.
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the intercepted consignments, according to the data, stood at N1.38 billion during the period.
The figures revealed significant month-to-month variations in enforcement activities, with February accounting for the highest volume of seizures.
In January, Customs officers intercepted 4,027 bags of smuggled rice in 64 separate operations.
The consignments had a Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of N244.77 million, while the duty payable amounted to N97.82 million, bringing the DPV to N342.58 million.
Seizures rose sharply in February, increasing by 56.5 per cent to 6,301 bags from 127 interception cases.
The seized rice had a CIF value of N360.11 million and attracted duty payments estimated at N200.69 million, resulting in a DPV of N560.80 million.
However, the volume of seizures declined in March to 4,884 bags from 95 cases, representing a 29 per cent drop from February.
The CIF value of the intercepted rice stood at N302.91 million, while the duty involved was estimated at N169.30 million. The DPV for the month was valued at N472.21 million.
Speaking on the development, Eugene Nweke, Head of Research at the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC), said rice smuggling remains largely driven by market realities, including supply shortages and price differentials between Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
According to him, while Customs enforcement can reduce the inflow of smuggled rice, eliminating the practice entirely remains difficult because of the transnational nature of the trade and the economic incentives it creates.
Nweke noted that neighbouring countries continue to benefit from rice imports destined for the Nigerian market, while smugglers exploit porous borders to circumvent import restrictions.
He stressed that sustainable solutions would require a comprehensive review of rice importation policies, coupled with increased investment in local rice production, processing and value-chain development to close the supply gap and reduce dependence on imports.
The latest seizure statistics underscore the broader policy dilemma facing the government as it seeks to protect local rice producers, boost food security and curb revenue losses from illicit trade while ensuring adequate supply of a staple consumed by millions of Nigerians.