…Unregistered Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, stolen vehicles top list
…Three suspects arrested
…We will make the port very unconducive for any criminal activity – NIS
Barely two weeks after it showcased twelve (12) containers of seized pharmaceuticals, the Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has again uncovered six (6) more containers laden with prohibited items mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals.
Other items in the seized containers were cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country with a total Duty Paid Value, DPV of Three Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Nine naira (N3,247,427,969.00).
Speaking in a press briefing in Lagos today, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu who later showcased the seized items to journalists categorized the seizures into three categories.
While Container No. SUDU 8685733 (40FT) was found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet, Container No. MRSU 4846204 (40FT) was found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat.
According to Olomu, the two seizures listed above which he classed Category 1 had a street value of Two Billion, Seven Hundred and Ten Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,710,400.00).
“Interestingly, these two containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA”, Olomu said.
Under Category 2, Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40 FT) found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks & 30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as truck tyres while Container No. MRSU 3258823 (40 FT) was found to contain Rabeprazole, for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride, ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
Container No. MRKU 0904594 (40 FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada namely: a 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely declared as food items while container No. SEKU 4716830 (40 FT) which was placed alongside the previous one under Category 3 was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing which contravenes the import prohibition law.
Speaking on the seizures, the CAC said, “While we facilitate trade, collect revenue for the government, the NCS owe the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing.
“As officers at the nation’s largest, busiest and premier port, we are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchants of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances like the ones I shall be showing you today. We also intercepted two cars stolen from Canada that were attempted to be smuggled into Nigeria like I mentioned earlier on.
“In addition to contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, these imported containers with prohibited medical items also violate the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV which is a global enforcement operation against trafficking of counterfeit, substandard and unauthorized medical supplies.”
The Apapa Customs Command boss further revealed that three (3) suspects had been arrested in connection with those seizures and were at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law.
The Controller also used the occasion to tell the media that the command had crossed the one trillion-naira collection before the end of the fifth month of 2025 saying, “We have so far generated a total of 1,094 trillion as at 21 May, 2025.”
Continuing, he said, “This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target. Like we’ve done before, we are ready to do better this year.
“Our chronicle of outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly for us and attests to our capacity to do more. For instance, in October 2024, we collected N18.2 billion; on March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of N18.9 billion and on 20 May, 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of N18.919 billion. All these were groundbreaking daily collections.”
He however, warned that Apapa port would remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity adding that the officers of the command were very much ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.
On his part, the Assistant Comptroller General of Narcotics, Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Buba Obadiah Wakawa observed that the showcasing of six (6) containers by the Nigeria Customs Service, two weeks after it showcased twelve (12) of seized pharmaceuticals, was a manifestation of the level of commitment and dedication of the Nigeria Customs towards riding the ports of all illegal activities.
According to Wakawa who is also the Commander, Apapa Strategic Command, NIS, the handing over of containers of seized pharmaceuticals to the Nigeria Immigration Service by the Nigeria Customs Service was another manifestation of the synergy that existed between the two sister security agencies at the port adding, “Together, we will make the port very unconducive for any criminal activity.”
He continued, “These two containers that were seized are products of international collaboration. What happened is that these criminals have decided different means of trying to avoid detection but with the synergy and international collaboration, we have come to prove to them that it is impossible for them to penetrate the Apapa seaport.
“Because there was an MoU between Nigeria and India to stop the manufacture of Codeine into Nigeria, what they have done now is to use foreign companies in neighbouring countries that do not have MoU with India, what they do is to use a Chadian company for the production of Codeine, then divert it into Nigeria.
“I will not talk much because these people are watching us and because they are watching us, they are following the trend. We want to assure you that our collaboration is very robust and we will pin them from whichever angle that they come from.”
Also speaking, a representative of the Director, Port Inspection, NAFDAC, Kingsley Obima posited that his agency had been having a good relationship and good synergy with other sister agencies noting that NAFDAC have had series of seizures handed over to it by the officials of the Nigeria Customs Service for further investigation, which, according to him, had been found to be very bad products that were brought into the country without going through the proper channels.
“NAFDAC is doing all its best to work with other agencies, sharing credible information so that this country will not be a dumping ground for such products”, he stated.
Photo 1: Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller, Apapa Customs Command addressing newsmen during the press briefing held at the command’s headquarters in Apapa, Lagos today.
Photo 2: (L-R): Mr. Ishola Lanre, Commissioner of Police, Western Ports, Ports Authority Police Command, Mr. Buba Obadiah Wakawa, Assistant Comptroller General of Narcotics, Nigeria Immigration Service, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller, Apapa Customs Command and Mr. Kingsley Obima, representative of the Director, Port Inspection, NAFDAC during the handover ceremony in Apapa today.
Send your press invite, news, press releases/articles to augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @PrimetimeRepor1 and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526.
