Why smuggling persists across Nigeria’s borders

As Customs seizes 870 smuggled vehicles worth N3.88bn in 15 monthsBy Efe OnodjaeStakeholders in the automobile and maritime sectors have identified delays and high clearing costs as major reasons Nigerian car importers patronise neighbouring countries’ ports and also resort to smuggling.Data from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) show that no fewer than 870 vehicles were seized between 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 over violations linked to importation as well as smuggling.Accor