By: Manoah Kikekon
The landscape of Nigeria’s border security has been rocked by a high-profile scandal involving the alleged creation of an unauthorized entry point at the Seme border. SaharaReporters has revealed that the former Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, was arrested following a daring operation that bypassed international border protocols.
According to top security and Customs sources, the breach involved the physical destruction of a section of the international border fence that separates Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. This operation, allegedly carried out under the cover of darkness between 12:30 am and 4:30 am, saw the installation of a massive iron gate just 250 meters from the Customs Area Controller’s main office.
The secret corridor was reportedly used for a frantic 48-hour smuggling spree. SaharaReporters obtained video evidence showing a large gate surrounded by vehicles and contraband. Subsequent footage shows the gate had been hurriedly dismantled and the breach sealed with concrete blocks after whistleblowers raised the alarm.
Sources close to the investigation by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) allege that the scale of the illegality was staggering. The following items were reportedly moved through the illegal gate:
Over 10,000 foreign vehicles, including brand-new and used SUVs. Thousands of bags of prohibited foreign rice..Large quantities of various contraband items.
Insiders identified Mr. Ope Oloko, described as a "notorious smuggler," as the daily supervisor of the operation. It is alleged that billions of naira in potential federal revenue from customs duties were diverted into approximately 15 private bank accounts linked to the scheme.
The scandal has sent ripples through the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service. During interrogation, sources claim Comptroller Adenuga alleged that his activities were known to the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Zonal Coordinator of Zone A.
“Wale Adenuga was doing all these illegal acts with the knowledge of his Zonal Coordinator... This may be one of the reasons he was quickly removed before he could spill more details,” an anonymous source told SaharaReporters.
March 26, 2026: Adenuga was removed from Seme and posted to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja as Comptroller in charge of Human Resources Development (HRD).
Current Status: Reports indicate that despite his new posting, Adenuga has yet to resume duties at the HRD department as he remains under investigation.
When reached for comment, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, confirmed the administrative changes but remained cautious regarding the smuggling allegations.
"All I know is that we do have routine administrative rotations... where there is a need to rejig officers holding strategic commands," Maiwada stated. He confirmed Adenuga’s removal from Seme but noted he had not been formally briefed on the specific allegations regarding the illegal gate.
As the ONSA continues its probe, the case stands as a significant test for the Nigerian government’s commitment to border integrity and the "Renewed Hope" agenda’s stance against high-level corruption.
Source: SaharaReporters