The former Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, was arrested over the alleged creation of an illegal entry point along the Nigeria–Benin Republic border for large-scale smuggling operations, SaharaReporters has learnt.
Top sources within the Customs Service and security circles told SaharaReporters that Adenuga was arrested by operatives linked to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in February 2026 following intelligence reports linking him to an illegal smuggling corridor allegedly created near the joint international border fence separating Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
According to the sources, the illegal operation allegedly involved the breaking of a section of the international border fence jointly demarcating Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, after which an iron gate was reportedly installed to facilitate the movement of smuggled goods into Nigeria.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, a large gate was seen with several vehicles and contraband goods parked nearby, allegedly waiting to pass through the gate.
Meanwhile, in a separate video, the section where the gate had been mounted was removed and blocked with concrete blocks.
The sources stated that over 10,000 foreign vehicles, including both brand new and used Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), were smuggled through the illegal route alongside prohibited foreign rice and other contraband items.
The operation, according to insiders, was supervised on a daily basis by a man identified as Mr. Ope Oloko, described by sources as a “notorious smuggler” operating around the Seme border axis.
“One Mr. Ope Oloko managed the operation daily. Trucks and vehicles loaded with prohibited foreign rice and other contraband passed through the illegal gate unchecked,” one of the sources alleged.
Another senior source familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters that the illegal gate was allegedly installed within a few hours during the night.
“The joint international border fence demarcating Nigeria and Benin Republic was broken about 250 metres from the main office of the CAC Seme between 12:30am and 4:30am,” the source said.
“It was immediately replaced with an iron gate and used to smuggle thousands of vehicles loaded with prohibited goods for two days.
“When people started raising the alarm that this was an illegal border entry point, they quickly removed the gate and blocked the place back with concrete blocks.”
The source alleged that “this act was perpetrated by one notorious smuggler called Ope Oloko with the supervision of the CAC, who had given free passage to smugglers since his assumption of office.”
According to insiders, when security agencies reportedly became aware of the operation, those involved allegedly hurriedly dismantled the illegal gate and sealed the access point to avoid detection, while allegedly continuing smuggling operations through alternative routes.
During interrogation by investigators, sources alleged that Comptroller Adenuga claimed the activities were carried out with the knowledge of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
“Wale Adenuga was doing all these illegal acts with the knowledge of his Zonal Coordinator, ACG Zone A, and the CGC,” another source alleged.
“This may be one of the reasons he was quickly removed before he could spill more details.”
Sources further stated that billions of naira meant to be remitted to the Federal Government as customs duties were diverted into private bank accounts allegedly linked to the operation.
“No one can state the exact amount diverted, but the issue reportedly surfaced across several social media platforms, where about 15 bank accounts were allegedly mentioned,” one of the sources said.
A top customs officer told SaharaReporters that following the controversy, the Nigeria Customs Service on March 26, 2026 redeployed Adenuga from the Seme Area Command to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja as Comptroller in charge of Human Resources Development (HRD).
He was subsequently replaced at the Seme Command by Comptroller Kaila.
However, sources claimed that despite the redeployment, Adenuga had yet to resume at the HRD department.
“Though he was deployed from Seme to HRD, he has not resumed in that office till now because he is allegedly still under investigation,” a source disclosed.
Another top Customs source told SaharaReporters that Adenuga’s rise within the Service was allegedly tied to his closeness to top Customs authorities.
“For any officer to get a lucrative posting like Seme, you must be very close to the CGC,” the source alleged.
“Comptroller Wale Adenuga was formerly DC/APM at Apapa Port before he got promoted. He was later posted as Comptroller in charge of Import and Export at the Headquarters for a few months before he became Comptroller of Badagry Area Command.”
The source added that Adenuga spent only about six months as Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Seme Command before his removal in March 2026.
When contacted, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, confirmed that Adenuga had been redeployed to the headquarters.
“I don’t really understand the narrative about the creation of a gate for the smuggling of goods.
“All I know is that we do have routine administrative rotations, where there is a need to rejig officers holding strategic commands and positions, and that has taken place.
“As for any other allegation, I have not been briefed on it, and I cannot comment on what I am not properly informed about. However, I will find out, and if I have any update concerning the Nigeria Customs Service in relation to him, I will definitely make it available to you.
“So, I know he has been removed. What you have is confirmed. He is now with the Human Resources department and has been removed from Seme. That is confirmed.”