The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant interception at Apapa Port, seizing expired pharmaceutical products worth NGN 1.8 billion and over 27,500 machetes concealed in various containers. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi during a press briefing on August 15, 2024, reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s health and security, vowing continued vigilance against illegal imports.
The seized items, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion, include expired and controlled pharmaceutical products, as well as concealed weapons, marking a significant victory in the NCS’s ongoing battle against smuggling. Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General highlighted the importance of due diligence in cargo examination, a key focus of the NCS’s efforts to protect the Nigerian public.
“While our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade remains unwavering, we are equally dedicated to ensuring that any import consignment or export cargo transiting through our ports is thoroughly checked,” the Comptroller-General stated. “Our officers are living up to expectations by executing our mandate to the fullest.”
Among the items seized were 12 containers of expired and improperly declared pharmaceutical products, including drugs that could have severe health consequences if allowed into the market. Notably, a 1x40ft container, falsely declared to contain various pharmaceutical products, was found to be filled with expired daily health supplements and other drugs, including tramadol, a substance often associated with criminal activities.
In addition to the pharmaceutical products, two 40ft containers were found to contain a total of 27,540 pieces of cutlasses and machetes, further underscoring the potential threat posed by these illegal imports.
The Comptroller-General praised the efforts of Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, and his team for their diligence and effectiveness in these seizures. He urged the officers to maintain their high level of performance, noting that Apapa Command handles the highest volume of trade for the NCS and is crucial to the Service’s overall success.
The press briefing concluded with a stern warning to port users, advising them to embrace only legitimate trade practices. The NCS, under the current leadership, remains fully committed to detecting all forms of concealment and protecting the nation’s borders from harmful imports.
This latest operation serves as a clear message to those attempting to compromise Nigeria’s health and security through illegal trade: the NCS will continue to stand vigilant, ready to intercept and neutralize any threats.